| Octopodidae (octopuses), subfamily: Octopodinae |
| 32 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 300.0 g |
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benthic; marine; depth range 1 - 54 m |
| Pacific Ocean. |
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| Its mantle length is 10 cm (Ref. 96968). Depths range from 1 to 54 m. Occurs on sandy substrates, often associated with coral heads or rubble. Deep lairs are excavated under coral heads or coral rubble on sand substrate. Appears to have crepuscular activity patterns. Lairs are surrounded by cast off gastropod shells which may have been collected for their secondary occupants, hermit crabs. Stomach contents have a high proportion of crustacean exoskeletal fragments. Eggs are laid in large numbers in festoons. The small egg size indicates hatchlings are planktonic. Possibly venomous based on the prominent warning coloration and being locally known as the "poison octopus". Live animals observed to bite objects willingly, uncommon amongst octopuses (Ref. 96968). |
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(LC); Date assessed: 22 July 2014 Ref. 123251)
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Known from Rapa Iti (Ref. 96667, 96968). C: Ref. 96968; O: Ref. 96667. |
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