January 17, 2026: One Step Closer To Getting Rick-Rolled By An Octopus

For those looking for unconventional animal-companion inspiration, I present an article from Laughing Squid, about a Swedish musician named Mattias Krantz who spent six months teaching Tako – an octopus he bought from a fish market – how to play the piano.

There's an extended video on YouTube about their journey. I'm not sure I'd say the octopus is an aquatic virtuoso, but – skill aside – he can certainly play a musical instrument underwater longer than I can . . . and anything that gets us nearer to the scene from 2018's Aquaman where the octopus plays the piano underwater is a win for humanity in my book.

-- Steven Marsh