Photo Image Hairy octopus Octopus sp. (undescribed)

HAIRY OCTOPUS

Octopus sp. (undescribed)

Solitary, found in rubble both during the day and night. There are several variations in sizes and colours. Small specimens usually have many more skin flaps. The colour can range from white to cream to brown to red, either with a pattern of spots or not. This octopus can be at first sight mistaken for turf of sea weed or even an orangutan crab. Numerous long branches of skin on the body of this small octopus are unique and match turfed sea weed.
Frequency of sightings:
RARE
Best time of year:
All year round
Remarks:
Body size from1.5 to 5 cm, arms length from 3-10 cm.
Divesites seen at:
Air Prang, Air Prang 2, Air Prang 3, Hairball 1, Hairball 2, Hairball 3, Heynus, Jahir, Jahir 2, Lembeh Resort House Reef, Magic Crack, Makawide 3, Nudi Falls, Nudi Retreat, Pantai Kecil, Pantai Parigi, Pintu Kota Besar (Seagrass), Pintu Kota Kecil, Police Pier, Police Pier 2, Retak Larry (Larrys Crack), Slow Poke, Tanjung Kubur, Tanjung Tebal, TK 1, TK2, TK3

Taxonomical order of this critter:
Invertebrate
Mollusks
Cephalopod
Octopus
-	Algae Octopus
-	Blue-ringed octopus
-	Coconut octopus or Veined octopus
-	Hairy octopus
-	Longarm Octopus
-	Mimic octopus
-	Mototi octopus
-	Reef Octopus or Day octopus
-	Starry night octopus
-	Wunderpus octopus