Atlantic White-spotted Octopus
Pinnoctopus macropus
Brazilian Reef Octopus
Octopus insularis
About
The Brazilian reef octopus is a quick-thinking hunter of Brazil's coastal reefs and islands. It was once mistaken for its more famous cousin, the common octopus, until scientists gave it its own species status in 2008.
Also known as: brazil reef octopus
- Weight
- max 1.3 kg
- Depth
- up to 45 m
How to tell it apart
It looks almost identical to the common octopus, and shares similar colouring and range. The stockier arm-and-web shape described above is the main clue that sets it apart.
Appearance
This is a medium-sized octopus with a red-brown body. Its arms look short and compact for its size, and the web of skin joining their base runs unusually deep, giving it a stocky look overall.
Habitat
It lives in shallow water around Brazil's coast and its oceanic islands, such as Fernando de Noronha. It settles on rocky, sandy, or muddy sea floors, coral and rock reefs, algae patches, and tide pools, often close to shore.
Diet
It hunts mainly crabs, clams, and sea snails. Rather than chasing large, hard-to-catch crabs and lobsters, it favours small crabs it can find and eat quickly, so it spends less time hunting overall.
Did you know?
This octopus gets its scientific name, insularis, from its habit of living close to islands such as Fernando de Noronha, Saint Peter, and Saint Paul. It was only recognised as its own species, separate from the common octopus, in 2008.
Log it in Into the Blue
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