(Image credit: Rick Stuart-Smith, Reef Life Survey)

This octopus usually inhabits waters off New South Wales, commonly Sydney. You would really have to catch this octopus to easily identify it. Often octopus look like two eyes peering out from a rock crevice. If you are lucky enough to spot this up close, look for its white eyes, brown body and distinct orange underside.

AKA: Sydney octopus

Length: Arm span of up to 200 cm

Habitat

Adults inhabit reefs; 0-60 m depth

Log it

Log this species wherever it is spotted in Tasmanian waters only

Related links/info

Species names on the Redmap site are based on the Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota or CAAB (http://www.cmar.csiro.au/caab/). This is updated regularly and lists the approved common name, family, species name and more.

Redmap species descriptions were based, with permission, on the following resources:

Australian Marine Life: The Plants and Animals of Temperate Waters by G. J. Edgar, Revised Ed. (2008) Reed Books, Melbourne

Fishes of Australia’s Southern Coast, Edited by M. Gomon. D. Bray and R. Kuiter (2008) Reed Books, Melbourne

Find further information and images at FISHES OF AUSTRALIA http://www.fishesofaustralia.net.au/