A QUICK thinking escapologist octopus managed to creep out of its tank at Coast Aquarium, Maryport as it hunted for food.  

Amazingly the hungry octopus managed to drop down into the crabs tank  for a quick snack whilst busy staff were carrying out routine maintenance.

Staff at the aquarium were working on the octopus display, which involves a drain down, so the octopus was moved into a quarantine tank.  

Mark Vollers, owner of the aquarium explained: “Half an hour later we were horrified to find that it was no longer to be seen and all aquarist staff were called to look for it.

“They are known to be capable of climbing out of the water but cannot survive long out of the water, let alone a significant drop.

“We looked high and low without success, I even considered it might have gone down a floor drain.”

Mark said a colleague thankfully found it in the sump tank of the quarantine system, adding: “In order to get there, it must have dropped down into a lengthy parallel tank and then exited that one down into the sump, where it was busy hunting for the crabs that also live down there.

“At any point in its journey of several metres it could have much more easily have ended up on the floor rather than in another tank which seems to prove it absolutely knew what it was doing.

“This is a Common Octopus, one of two species found around the UK, and the first time we’ve had them at the aquarium.

 “They are clearly not only bigger and stronger than any we’ve had before, but are also much more adventurous by nature, requiring and relishing frequent engagement with the aquarists who are forever devising new toys for them to play with. 

“Unscrewing a jar to access food inside only causes a momentary delay before the task is completed, even if a completely new type of container is presented to it.

“The octopus talk given by the aquarists to visitors has never been so enthralling.

“For many visitors watching the octopuses is the highlight of their visit.”

Ollie is safe and sound in his tank and thankfully didn’t make it far.
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