Ink-credible: Octopus learns piano in viral experiment

WHEN Mattias Krantz received a white package at his Swedish home, it contained an octopus he had purchased from a Portuguese fishery, rescuing it from becoming someone's dinner.

- 

YOUTUBER and musician Mattias Krantz spent six months teaching an octopus how to play a custom-built piano. | MATTIAS KRANTZ

(MATTIAS KRANTZ)

The 28-year-old YouTuber, known for videos featuring modified musical instruments, had an ambitious plan for his new eight-armed friend: within six months, he wanted “Takoyaki” (nicknamed Tako) to play piano well enough to perform Under the Sea and the theme from Jaws.

“You're going to be the greatest pianist the sea has ever known,” Krantz told the octopus after settling him into a 110-gallon tank equipped with filtration systems, rocks, sand and toys.

The musical training project, which eventually garnered more than 6 million YouTube views, proved extraordinarily challenging. “It was probably the worst thing I’ve ever done, and maybe the coolest thing, but also the worst ever,” Krantz reflected. “I never pushed myself to such limits.”

First, Krantz needed to establish trust. Tako spent his first day hiding behind rocks, refusing the crabs and mussels Krantz had collected from Sweden's coast. By the second day, the octopus began eating, and Krantz soon tested Tako’s problem-solving abilities with a simple task: removing a plastic lid from a jar containing treats. Tako succeeded after three days, demonstrating the intelligence that made Krantz believe piano playing was possible.

The musical training began with a single 3D-printed key placed in the tank. When Tako touched it, Krantz rewarded him with food. Krantz then added a white lever that Tako could pull to produce sound - though the octopus occasionally broke the key off and hid it under rocks.