Octopus
 
 

Introduced Species

For other Molluscs

  • Chiton
  • Abalone
  • Elephant Snail
  • Limpet
  • Sea Snails
  • Sea Slugs (Sea hare & Nudibranch)
  • Mussels
  • Scallops
  • Oysters
  • Octopus
  •  

  • Kingdom Animalia
  • Phylum Mollusca
  • Class Cephalopoda (Squid, Octopus, Cuttlefish, Nautilus)
  • Family Octopodidae (Octopus)
  • Octopus pallidus (Pale Octopus)
  • Octopus pallidus - Pale Octopus
    Picture: MDC
    Habitat: Sand; 0 - 275 m depth
    Distribution: SA to NSW and around Tasmania
    Maximum Size: Length to 350 mm
    Diet: Bivalves, small fish and other invertebrates
    Comments: 
    This has a relatively large body and is reddish brown to orange in colour. Octopuses have a sack like body and eight arms covered by suckers. Most live alone, foraging at night and hiding during the day. They live in lairs often distinguished by a pile of shells. This species often raises the skin on the body in relatively long, spiny extensions. These octopus are also caught commercially in Tasmania using plastic pots left on the sandy bottom for several days.