Hubbs' octopus (Octopus hubbsorum)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Octopus hubbsorum
- Common name
- Hubbs' octopus
- Category
- Molluscs
- Family
- Octopodidae
- Genus
- Octopus
- Size
- 40–80 cm
- Depth
- 0–30 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- solitary, nocturnal, predator
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, East Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Octopus hubbsorum reaches 80 cm total length. Eastern Pacific endemic octopus (Gulf of California, Sea of Cortez). Red-brown to olive-brown body with rapid color change ability like all octopuses, mottled patterns for camouflage. Lives from 0 to 30 m on rocky and sandy reefs. Nocturnal, diurnal rest in crevices and wrecks. Predator of crustaceans and mollusks. Important local commercial fishery in Mexico. Named after Carl and Laura Hubbs, American ichthyologists. Macro/wide-angle photo subject of Sea of Cortez dives.
Photo of Hubbs' octopus
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Hubbs' octopus?
- Hubbs' octopus (Octopus hubbsorum) reaches 40–80 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Hubbs' octopus?
- Hubbs' octopus is found between 0–30 m deep.
- Is the Hubbs' octopus dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Hubbs' octopus?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Hubbs' octopus?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, East Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Other species in the genus Octopus
- Octopus vulgaris - Common octopus
- Octopus mototi - Mototi octopus
- Octopus salutii - Spider octopus
- Octopus macropus - White-spotted octopus
- Octopus bimaculatus - Two-spot octopus
- Octopus briareus - Caribbean reef octopus
Other species in the family Octopodidae
- Hapalochlaena lunulata - Blue-ringed octopus
- Wunderpus photogenicus - Wunderpus octopus
- Abdopus aculeatus - Algae octopus
- Thaumoctopus mimicus - Mimic octopus
- Hapalochlaena maculosa - Blue-ringed Octopus
- Pteroctopus tetracirrhus - Four-armed Octopod
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 341983)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2289709)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia