This octopus usually inhabits waters off New South Wales, commonly Sydney.

You would really have to catch this octopus to easily identify it. Often octopus look like two eyes peering out from a rock crevice. If you are lucky enough to spot this up close, look for its white eyes, brown body and distinct orange underside.

AKA: Sydney Octopus
Family OCTOPODIDAE
Habitat: Adult octopus live in reef environments.
Size: Can reach an arm span of 2 m.
Image: R. Stuart-Smith
Log It: Log this species wherever it is spotted in Tasmanian waters.

Species names on the Redmap site are based on the Codes for Australian Aquatic Biota or CAAB (http://www.cmar.csiro.au/caab/).

• Australian Marine Life: The Plants and Animals of Temperate Waters by G. J. Edgar, Revised (2008) Reed Books, Melbourne

• Fishes of Australia’s Southern Coast, Edited by M. Gomon. D. Bray and R. Kuiter (2008) Reed Books, Melbourne

• Fishes of Tasmania by P. Last, E. Scott and F. Talbot (1983). Tasmanian Fisheries Development Authority, Hobart