Mimic Octopus

ID points

• Bold brown and white stripes cover the arms
• Changes its shape to mimic flatfish, sea snakes and lionfish
• Active out on open sand, does not hide in reef rock

Basics

Family

Octopodidae

Length

40–60 cm

Depth

1-20 m

Regions

Indo-Pacific reefs

Distribution

Shallow tropical sandy bottoms of Southeast Asia

Habitat

Open sandy bottoms in shallow water

Diet

Small fish, crustaceans

Easily confused with

Blue-ringed OctopusElectric blue rings flare over the whole body when it is provokedOctopusEight arms of equal length, each with two rows of suckersLionfishAlternating red and white bars over the whole body

Fun fact

It can copy at least 15 different sea creatures on the spot, among them flatfish, lionfish and sea snakes, and it actively picks the most useful impression for whatever threat happens to be nearby. It is the only animal known to choose its model in this way.