Octopus in Gulf of Mexico

[George Sims]

Please understand that I am a rank novice here. I associate octopuses with coral reefs, such as those I saw diving in the East China Sea off Okinawa while in the Marines 1969-71.
Are they to be found, and in any abundance, in the muckier waters of the northern Gulf of Mexico?

 

[TheSeeker]

On the top of my head, besides Octopus Vulgaris or the Common Octopus, the Gulf of Mexico is home of the abundant species Mexican Four-Eyed Octopus (Octopus Maya). Plus, there is Octopus hummenlincki around Florida

 

[tonmo]

A few species can be found there, apparently including mimics (which are known for muckier waters) - here's a reference for you:

Freaky Texas Octopus Species

Octopus In Texas? Are there octopus in the Gulf? Absolutely. The Flower Gardens Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) is the the most observed and studied habitat in the Gulf and according to FGBNMS research coordinator Emma […]

fishgame.com

 

[George Sims]

A few species can be found there, apparently including mimics (which are known for muckier waters) - here's a reference for you:

Freaky Texas Octopus Species

Octopus In Texas? Are there octopus in the Gulf? Absolutely. The Flower Gardens Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) is the the most observed and studied habitat in the Gulf and according to FGBNMS research coordinator Emma […]

fishgame.com

Just what I wanted to know. Thanks.

 

[George Sims]

On the top of my head, besides Octopus Vulgaris or the Common Octopus, the Gulf of Mexico is home of the abundant species Mexican Four-Eyed Octopus (Octopus Maya). Plus, there is Octopus hummenlincki around Florida

Great. I was especially curious about the western Gulf, off Texas and Louisiana. Thanks.

 

[DWhatley]

In addition to O. hummelincki (two spot), O. vulgaris (common), possibly O. briareus (Caribbean common)there is the dwarf, O. jobini. The mimic mentioned in the above article is NOT Thaumoctopus mimicus and is most likely Macrotritopus Defilippi (Atlantic Mimic - yes, I know the Gulf is not part of the Atlantic, complain to the octopus). O. Maya is found to the south near the Yucatan should you decide to vacation there after you recertify . There is actually an artisanal university run farm there so you may even be able to use a trip for your studies. We don't have much about the farm but this link may get you started if it is of interest.

 

[George Sims]

I’m hoping I can talk my marine biology instructor into taking me on as a grad student. I believe she specializes in Atlantic cod, and don’t know if she’ll want to waste her time on invertebrates. We’ll see.