Pale Octopus

Scientific name: Octopus pallidus
Similar species:
Southern Keeled Octopus
  • Author(s)
    Allison Runck
  • Updated
    29/09/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Octopus
    Species
    pallidus
    Family
    Octopodidae
    Super Family
    Octopodoidea
    Suborder
    Incirrata
    Order
    Octopoda
    Superorder
    Octopodiformes
    Subclass
    Coleoidea
    Class
    Cephalopoda
    Phylum
    Mollusca
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    Medium sized octopus with an armspan up to 60cm in length.

Octopus pallidus is often found in the same habitat as the Southern Keeled Octopus, but lacks the skin ridge or ‘keel’ of this other octopus species.

Identification

Octopus pallidus is a robust, muscular species with a solid body and short, stout arms of subequal length. It has a number of sharp spikes of skin over the body which can be raised, along with a regular patchment of small raised oval patches over their entire body and arms.

Habitat

The pale octopus occurs on sand substrates, often in association with sponge gardens or beds of sea squirts. It has been found in shallow waters to depths of almost 600m.

Distribution

Common in bays and coastal waters of Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. Less commonly found in waters of southern NSW.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

Feeding and diet

The Pale Octopus emerges at night to feed on crustaceans and shellfish, primarily collecting shellfish which it pulls apart or drills using its sharp-toothed tongue to poison the occupant and gain entry.

Other behaviours and adaptations

O. pallidus hides during the day in rubble, empty sea squirt cases or human rubbish. The pointed and branched digits of skin present over the body can be raised to help with camouflage.

The female lays large eggs which are attached singly to hard surfaces. The hatchlings are well-developed with good skin sculpture and camouflage. They crawl away after hatching and immediately start to forage.

Economic impacts

This species is harvested on a small scale using unbaited plastic pots which the octopuses use as shelter- to be primarily used as bait.

References

  • Norman, M., (2000) Cephalopods- A World Guide, ConchBooks, Germany (Hackenheim)
  • Norman, M & A. Reid., (2000) A Guide to Squid, Cuttlefish and Octopuses of Australasia, CSIRO Publishing, Victoria (Collingwood)
  • Stranks, T. (1986) Study of the Octopus of south-eastern Australia, SAfish 10(3) pg 9.
  • Stranks, T.N., (1988) Systematics of the family Octopodidae (Mollusca: Cephalopoda) of south-eastern Australia, Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne.