A 1.5 cm round ulcer with smooth sides was noted in the anterior mantle of a 7 kg male Octopus dofleini shortly after arrival at the aquarium. The lesion appeared quiescent and was observed for two months while the animal ate and behaved normally in its closed system artificial seawater tank maintained at 12°C. After two months with no noticeable change, additional small (3-4 mm) ulcers appeared at the base of one arm and between arms. The primary lesion began to enlarge and deepen. Cultures were taken from the large lesion and from the tank water. Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter anitratus susceptible to tetracycline was grown from the wound and from the water. The animal was placed on 10 mg/kg oxytetracycline daily injected into live food. The small ulcers disappeared within 7 days and the larger ulcer was completely healed in 28 days.

A small Octopus bimaculoides in a small tank in the same gallery developed a large 1 cm ulcer on its posterior mantle at the same time the ulcer in the large O. dofleini became active. No culture was taken, but this smaller animal was placed on 10 mg/kg oxytetracycline injected intramuscularly in the arms daily for 7 days followed by oral administration in prey for an additional 14 days. The wound healed uneventfully.