Presentation of the spotted octopus
The spotted octopus is sometimes also called speckled octopus or long arm octopus. Its scientific name is Callistoctopus macropus. It differs from the common octopus by its very long tentacles and its red body spotted with white phosphorescent dots.
It has a parrot beak that allows it to crush crabs and shellfish. The spotted octopus rarely exceeds 400 grams. Capable of mimicry, thanks to the chromatophores, the spotted octopus knows how to be discreet.
Habitat and behavior
The spotted octopus can be present in all biotopes. A solitary animal, it can be found from the first meters of the sea bed to 150 meters deep. An octopus that spends most of the day in its cache and only comes out once the day falls to start hunting. Its food is mainly composed of crustaceans, bivalve shells and fish.
Its reproduction takes place from spring to late summer depending on the water temperature. Gonochoric species, male and female spotted octopus die once the reproduction process is over.
The fishing of the spotted octopus
It is very difficult to fish exclusively for spotted octopus, because they are much less present than the common octopus. To hope to catch this atypical species it is better to look for them at night or when the light starts to decrease.
As for the common octopus, the fishing of the spotted octopus can be practiced using baits (oily fish, crabsâ?¦) or using jigs.
Note that the bite of the spotted octopus can be dangerous, because the wound tends to get infected. Indeed, this venomous species produces a neurotoxin, the cephalotoxin. It is therefore necessary to avoid leaving one's fingers under the mantle and instead to grab it by the head. A species of octopus to be released of course.
