Can anyone identify this octopus?

[jakester]

Can anyone identify this octopus. I just got him from the pet store and they said it was a brown octopus. I think it might be a bimac but I am not sure. Thank you.

 

[skywindsurfer]

Try to get a decent one of it clinging to the glass so that the ventral(bottom) side can be seen clearly, and try to get one of it's dorsal(top) side while feeding.

 

[jakester]

Thanks. I will try to get some as soon as I can!

 

[jakester]

Can anyone tell me how big a dwarf gets?

 

[skywindsurfer]

That is too general a question. Each "dwarf" will get a different size depending on the species. You may not even have a dwarf. My O. Hummelincki was smaller than the octopus you have now, and she's now a good 4 - 6 inches full body length. It would be best to just get some really clear photos so that it can be properly ID'd before jumping to any conclusions.

 

[jakester]

Here are some more pictures...

 

[jakester]

and 3 more...

 

[DWhatley]

Interesting spots on the mantle. The small white ones on the side seem to be consistent and likely diagnostic. The one in the center is very unusual looking. The two common marks (that are usually white, towards the back) are black in the one photo. I still don't know what they are but they are seen in most of the photos in Norman and I have seen them on many of mine. I have posed the question as to what they represent but so far none of our biology people have made any suggestions.

One other interesting observation is how open the eyes are in the light. The buldging eyes are typical of a nocturnal but the fact that the the pupils are open that much in the lighting is either an end of life suggestion or that it is not a nocturnal. We have recorded nocturnals out during the day and wider pupils in lighting when they are close to the end but this little guy is different than any I have seen so perhaps this is not the case. I am still thinking a small octo because of the arm taper and likely adult but that is a lot of second guessing.

 

[DWhatley]

One last possiblity comes to mind. I was looking for another octo and flipping through my book when one of the photos made me think of the first photos of your mystery octopus. Roy should be able to say Yay or Nay to this guess quickly but my final guess would be O. rubescens. Unfortunately, if it is, you will need to keep the tank cold for it to survive. The positive side it that it would likely be a young one at that size.

 

[jakester]

He has his arms curled up a lot. Is this normal?

 

[skywindsurfer]

I found that with most older animals that are unable to acquire a den will back themselves into a corner and curl their arms up and over their mantle. Is this what you are talking about?

Or check out the last video on this link, (http://www.tonmo.com/forums/showthread.php?20028-My-first-O.-Hummelincki/page21) and let me know if this is more of what you are referring to as keeping their legs curled.

 

[jakester]

Thanks, that is what I meant with the arm curling. Does anyone think it is o. rubescens?