Cozumel fish id photos....... octopus

[robint]

Most common octopus in cozumel, the common caribbean reef octopus

and

I think Jim Lyle told me this is a pygmy octopus

we see these regularly on shore dives in front of SCC at night

to show you how small they are:

that is my pointer stick, which is smaller in diameter than a pencil

 

[ColoDale]

A few more Octopus. I have seen a different kind years ago on a night dive which I did not get photos but was more red and about the size of my hand. Our DM told us it was not a common octopus but a different kind that he rarely sees. We watched a spotted eel go after it, which was mostly unsuccessful, and contrary to what the movies show when an octopus inks i.e. black ink that looks like watery black food coloring, it was more like brownish viscous snot and plenty of it. There seemed to be more of it than octopus.

 

[azscubadude]

Most common octopus in cozumel, the common caribbean reef octopus

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Night dive at Scuba Club, taken right at the steps of the swim through when I was getting out.

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Not a happy octo.. getting attacked by an eel..

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Battle wounds, running scared..

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Found a safe place to hide away from the eel..

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Closer view (he didn't want to leave his safe place)..

 

[sharky60]

Hey, I saw someone post some trip report photos here recently that showed an octopus with a single blue ring near the back of the head. Anyone have an idea what kind of octo that was?

 

[jlyle]

Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris)

Reef octopus (Octopus briareus)

O. vulgaris

O. briareus You can't see me!

O. briareus

 

[robint]

Hey, I saw someone post some trip report photos here recently that showed an octopus with a single blue ring near the back of the head. Anyone have an idea what kind of octo that was?

yes, I posted a reply on that thread telling the name and info I found in the Humann ID books. It is the Caribbean Two-spot Octopus. That blue ring is a false-eye marking.

 

[TouchO'Gray]

I'd love to see a Two-Spot Octopus! Meantime, this is my desktop background

 

[Colin Gray]

Night shore dive at SCC

 

[MaxBottomtime]

 

[bensontc]

Captured this a few years back in Cozmel. Maybe a couple inches long. Pygmy?