35 photos - 9 species


Introduction


 At home in all oceans.

Thanks to their highly developed brains,

they are the most intelligent invertebrates

and can even see in colour.


Amphioctopus marginatus

Coconut octopus or Veined octopus

 Maximum length: Arm length up to 15 cm

Body with a net-like, dark pattern, therefore also called net or veined octopus.

Its white to white-bluish suction cups are striking.

Likes to use coconuts as a home.

Photo 1 Astrid: Lembeh Strait North - Sulawesi

Photos 2 - 7 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North - Sulawesi


Hapalochlaena lunulata

Blue-ringed octopus

 Maximum length: 7 cm

It is very poisonous, a bite can be fatal for humans.

Very difficult to distinguish from Hapalochlaena maculosa.

But both very poisonous.

Their venom paralyses muscles and nerves, a fraction of a gram of which is fatal.

If the octopus feels threatened, its rings,

which are barely visible in its normal state, glow an intense blue colour.

Kills its prey with highly poisonous saliva, which it injects with a bite.

Photo 1 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North - Sulawesi


Hapalochlaena maculosa

Blue-ringed octopus

 Maximum length: Arm length up to 8 cm

Maximum depth: 1 - 10 m +

It is very poisonous, a bite can be fatal for humans.

Very difficult to distinguish from Hapalochlaena lunulata.

But both very poisonous.

Their venom paralyses muscles and nerves, a fraction of a gram of which is fatal.

The blue rings are larger than its eye.

If the octopus feels threatened, its rings, which are barely visible in its normal state,

light up intensely blue.

Kills its prey with highly poisonous saliva, which it injects with a bite.

Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North - Sulawesi


Macrotritopus defilippi

Atlantic longarm octopus, Liliput long-armed octopus

or Liliput longarm octopus

 Maximum length: arm length up to 30 cm

Depth: up to 350 metres

The long arms and small body are typical.

They are found on sand and mud.

If threatened, they can cut off the arms at their base. 

Photos 1 - 3 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North - Sulawesi


Octopus cyanea

Common octopus

 Maximum length: 1.40 m

Depth 25 - 120 m

It can adapt its colour to its surroundings within a few milliseconds.

In case of danger, they emit black ink to irritate their opponents

Photos 1 - 7 Johnny: Hurghada Egypt


Octopus joubini

Atlantic pygmy octopus

Maximum size: 15 cm

Orange-brown to red, smooth skin.

They are found on mud or sand near reefs, often in empty snail shells and bottles.

Shy, withdraws immediately.

Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean


Octopus vulgaris

Common octopus

 Maximum length: 38 - 70 max 90 cm

Depth up to 5 - 23 m 

Suction cup edges dark and without dark eye ring

Their colouring can change at lightning speed.

Diurnal.

Photo 1 Astrid: Bonaire Caribbean

Photos 2 - 7 Johnny: Bonaire Caribbean


Thaumoctopus mimicus

Mimic octopus

 Maximum size: 60 cm

 This species lives on the mostly sandy seabed off the coast of Indonesia.

They hunt their prey by crawling along the bottom, often pausing and changing shape.

It is able to mimic the physical behaviour, appearance and movement of various species,

including sea snakes, flounders, lionfish and flatfish.

Photos 1 - 3 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North - Sulawesi


Wunderpus photogenicus

Wonderpus octopus

Maximum length: Arm length up to 20 cm

Depth: 3 - 20 metres

It has banded, long thin arms,

unlike the mimicry octopus it has no white line along the suckers.

On sand and rubble bottoms near the shore.

Shy, withdraws into the ground when approached,

can adopt striking postures in quick succession.

Photos 1 - 3 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North - Sulawesi