Different Types of Octopus Species

Octopuses are invertebrate marine mollusks that are considered cephalopods. This means they are related to similar marine animals such as cuttlefish and squid. The taxonomy of octopuses places them in the following ranks:

• Phylum: Mollusca
• Class: Cephalopoda
• Order: Octopoda

Learn more about the octopus with our article on the animals with the biggest brains.

The Octopoda order is characterized by the fact its members have eight arms with tentacles around a mouth located under the mantle. This is the structure that appears underneath the head. While it is smaller than the head, it acts as their main body and houses their various vital organs.

This order is divided into two suborders:

• Cirrina: they have a pair of cilia on the suckers, two fins on the mantle, and no ink glands.
• Incirrina: they lack cilia and fins, but they do have ink sacs.

Each species has different characteristics. We review these characteristics by looking at the different types of octopus species with photos of each. Octopuses are known for their ability to navigate through complex environments, often demonstrating problem-solving skills that rival those of some vertebrates.

It is considered one of the most intelligent invertebrates that exist. This quality is put to great advantage in their natural habitat. They are able to solve various problems within said habitat, often related to either evading predators or catching prey of their own. They mainly feed on crustaceans and smaller mollusks.

Common octopuses are very skilled with their arms, which contain two-thirds of their total neurons. They can change color, and their malleable body means they can move into very small spaces. They inhabit both temperate and tropical waters. Furthermore, their adaptability to different environments showcases their evolutionary success in a range of marine ecosystems.

The greater blue-ringed octopus measures just between 4-6" (10-15 cm). It is extremely poisonous, and its toxins are sufficiently potent to kill a human being in the right circumstances. It is identified by its large blue rings that contrast against its yellow skin. When it feels threatened, it raises the intense blue tone of its rings to warn any potential predators of their great danger.

Learn more about deadly sea animals with our article on the most venomous fish in the world. These octopuses are known to occupy shallow coral and rocky reefs, where they blend in seamlessly with their surroundings until they need to display their bright warning rings.

Several species are known as dumbo octopuses, all of which can be found in the genus Grimpoteuthis. They are characterized by having two extensions on the mantle similar to ears, like those of the Disney elephant also named Dumbo. They are not, in fact, ears, but fins which the dumbo octopus use to swim.

These types of octopus live at great depths of between 3,000 to 4,000 meters. They feed on invertebrates and swallow their prey whole. This is unlike other octopuses that have a radula to gnaw at their prey. They belong to a larger group known as umbrella octopuses, which make up the family Opisthoteuthidae. These are characterized by the fact they have skin that joins their arms, making them look like an umbrella. Their ability to thrive in the deep sea highlights their unique adaptations to extreme pressure and darkness.

Image: Jamstec

Appropriately monikered, the Giant Pacific octopus is the largest of all types of octopus species. The largest ever recorded measured over 30 feet/9 meters. It lives in the North Pacific, both on the coasts of America and Asia. It is distributed from the intertidal zone to depths of 2,000 meters, to which it is adapted in terms of low oxygen and low temperature.

Discover more about the depths of the world's oceans with our article on what is the Mariana Trench? This species' impressive size and strength enable it to tackle a variety of prey, including fish, crabs, and even small sharks, making it a top predator in its ecosystem.

Although many octopuses have the ability to change color, this octopus species is particularly peculiar. In addition to changing color, the mimic octopus can also mimic the shape and form of other marine animals such as jellyfish, corals, or sponges. They do so to better hide from predators, as well as to make these animals their prey.

Learn more with our article on the different types of Mediterranean jellyfish species. This extraordinary mimicry ability not only aids in evasion but also in successful hunting, showcasing its versatile survival strategies.

It inhabits coral reefs in the Caribbean and the western Atlantic. It uses a prey capture technique in which it launches its arms out. These arms are joined together by a membrane. This functions as a kind of trap net to capture their prey.

Photo: Octonation

The Caribbean reef octopus is also known for its vibrant coloration and swift movements. Its presence in coral reef ecosystems plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by controlling the population of its prey species.

Also known as the day octopus, the big blue octopus is native to coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific oceans. They have the ability to change both their skin color and its texture. The mantle measures 6"/16 cm, and the tentacles are 31"/80 cm in length. It is peculiar because its habits are diurnal and crepuscular, while most octopuses are nocturnal.

Its active daytime behavior allows it to hunt a variety of prey, including crabs and fish, utilizing its excellent vision and rapid reflexes. This adaptation sets it apart in the octopus world, where nighttime activity is more common.

This type of octopus species is also known as a grass octopus or a grass scuttle. Their arms are particularly long, with the front pair being around 3.2'/1 m, although the others are shorter. The mantle is small at 5"/13 cm long. It is known as the white-spotted octopus because it is red with white dots all over the body.

The Atlantic white-spotted octopus is often found in shallow waters, where its distinctive color pattern provides effective camouflage among the sea grasses and coral. Its long arms are adept at probing crevices and capturing hidden prey.

It lives in the Pacific Ocean and is the smallest octopus that exists, measuring about 1.2 inches/3 centimeters in total, of which over half is made up of the mantle. The arms are short and of different lengths. Males have filament-edged star-shaped suckers. It has been suggested that these are used for reproduction.

Photo: Octolab

Despite its small size, the star-sucker pygmy octopus displays a remarkable array of behaviors, including the ability to change color and texture for camouflage. Its tiny stature and unique sucker design make it a fascinating subject for marine biologists studying cephalopod diversity.

Also known as the violet blanket octopus, it lives in the warm open waters of the Atlantic Ocean. One of the distinctive traits of this species of octopus is that it is very sexually dimorphic. Females reach 6.6 feet/2 meters in length, while the males are only around 1"/2.5 cm.

When males and females are growing and measure less than 7 centimeters, it has been observed that they incorporate the tentacles of the Portuguese man-of-war to use for defense and to obtain food. They lose them when they grow up, so one assumption is that males stay small to maintain their size-related advantage.

This extreme size difference between genders is among the most pronounced in the animal kingdom, highlighting a unique evolutionary strategy. The use of man-of-war tentacles as weapons is a rare and effective form of defense, demonstrating the innovative survival tactics employed by this species.

• Musky octopus (Eledone moschata)
• California two-spot octopus (Octopus bimaculoides)
• Spoonarm octopus (Bathypolypus arcticus)
• Combed octopus (Eledone massyae)
• Vent octopus (Vulcanoctopus hydrothermalis)
• Coconut octopus (Amphioctopus marginatus)
• Glowing sucker octopus (Stauroteuthis syrtensis)
• Curled octopus (Eledone cirrhosa)

You have now met many very different types of octopuses, but maybe you would like to learn a little more about where they live with our article on what is an aquatic ecosystem? Each of these octopuses possesses unique adaptations that allow them to thrive in their specific environments, contributing to the rich biodiversity of marine life.

If you want to read similar articles to Different Types of Octopus Species, we recommend you visit our Wild animals category.