Caribbean Reef Octopus
By: Carley Burleson
Description
The Caribbean Reef Octopus is one that has a interesting look to it.
- The combination of green and blue color is something that catches people’s attention. There can also have brown on them which ranges in shades of color.
- They are able to change the pigment of their body easily. This is a method they use to protect themselves from predators, also known as camouflage.
- One way to tell the Reef Octopus from a Common Octopus is by looking at the eyes.
- The Caribbean Reef Octopus has very dark circles of color around them.
- The body is about 5 inches in length but the span of the arms is fairly a bit more. This can cover the space of approximately 23 inches.
Life History
- The Reef Octopus reproduces sexually.
- Fertile female Reef Octopuses collected from the Florida Keys have been observed laying about 500 large eggs around January. After around 50-80 days the eggs hatch.
- Within about 17 weeks after being hatched, the young Octopi reach about 75% of the adults size.
- The Female Caribbean reef octopuses are sexually mature in 150 days and males in 140 days.
Habitat
- The Caribbean Reef Octopus lives in warm waters around coral reef environments.
- The Caribbean reef octopus lives in hidden, rocky lairs. Their lairs are normally created in warm shallow waters.
- Reef Octopuses are common throughout the Western Atlantic, Bahamas, Caribbean and the coasts of northern South America.
Intelligence
- This Octopus is one of the most intelligent of all invertebrates.
- The Reef Octopus, while not considered very aggressive, will show cannibalistic qualities if individuals are kept too close in captivity .
- This octopus has the ability to remember where a foe resides and then avoids it.
Food
- The Reef Octopus feeds on crabs, shrimp, lobsters and a variety of fish.
- This octopus is preyed on by sharks, stingrays and other predatory fish.
- This species often feed by spreading its webbed arms forming a canopy to net its prey.