Raising and Rearing Octopus briareus Raising and Rearing Octopus briareus James B. Wood Octopuses make fascinating pets for advanced marine aquarists.
Octopuses have two reproductive strategies.
The common octopus, Octopus vulgaris , lays 100,000 to 500,000 small eggs that hatch into planktonic young. This fact is important as the large-egged octopuses are much easier to rear. Occasionally an octopus will lay eggs in captivity. If the hobbyist has had the octopus for a long time, the eggs will be infertile. Usually the female will still brood the eggs and refuse food.