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Octopus vulgaris
Also know as Common Reef Octopus and Small Common Octopus. They can change color to match their surroundings. They feed on bivalves, fish, shrimp, crabs and other octopus.
Found singly on coral and rocky reefs, seagrass beds, sand and rubble areas.
Spotted this rather large reef octopus at a depth of less than 15m during a night dive. There were several divers in our group, and I think that's why it was alarmed by our presence -- it kept shifting position and changing colors to match its surroundings.
Spotted on May 11, 2012
Submitted on May 20, 2012
2 Comments
Thanks, Maria & Marta!
@Maria_dB - Yeah, the 3rd photo's cool. I think it was trying to flatten itself on the rock so it would be even more camouflaged. :D
especially like the third photo!