Flapjack octopus

Flapjack Octopus (Opisthoteuthis sp.)

This squished-looking Flapjack Octopus (Opisthoteuthis sp.) was seen at Southern Hydrate Ridge during a site survey in 2022.
Photo credit: NSF-OOI/UW/CSSF, Dive R2228, V22

These small cirrate octopuses (often confused with Dumbo octopuses) are some of the deepest-living known octopus species. They are frequently  seen resting on the bottom (giving them their common name) or hovering over the seafloor using their prominent, ear-like fins extending from the mantle above the eyes. They are found worldwide, but have been occasionally seen on Southern Hydrate Ridge and Axial Seamount.

Flapjack octopuses (Opisthoteuthis sp.) are often confused with Dumbo octopuses (Grimpoteuthis sp.). They are not very closely related, but do have some similarities, as both are relatively small, use their fins to maneuver in the water, and have short arms. Flapjack octopuses are more squat, with larger eyes, smaller fins, more often orange in coloration, and shorter arms with more webbing between them.

References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opisthoteuthis

This squished-looking Flapjack octopus (Opisthoteuthis sp.) was seen at Southern Hydrate Ridge during a site survey in 2022. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF, ROPOS Dive R2228, V22.
This squished-looking Flapjack octopus (Opisthoteuthis sp.) was seen at Southern Hydrate Ridge during a site survey in 2022. Credit: UW/NSF-OOI/CSSF, ROPOS Dive R2228, V22.
A small Flapjack octopus sits atop a lobate flow at the summit of Axial Seamount - water depth ~ 1500 m (nearly 5000 feet beneath the surface). Credit: UW/OOI-NSF/CSSF, V13.
A small Flapjack octopus sits atop a lobate flow at the summit of Axial Seamount - water depth ~ 1500 m (nearly 5000 feet beneath the surface). Credit: UW/OOI-NSF/CSSF, V13.
A small flapjack octopus (one of the species of the genus Opisthoteuthis) doesn't seem to mind being on camera. Credit: UW/OOI-NSF/CSSF, ROPOS Dive R1608, V13.
A small flapjack octopus (one of the species of the genus Opisthoteuthis) doesn't seem to mind being on camera. Credit: UW/OOI-NSF/CSSF, ROPOS Dive R1608, V13.
This octopus, nicknamed the Flapjack Octopus, on pillow basalts at the summit of Axial's Eastern caldera. Credit: UW/OOI-NSF/CSSF, ROPOS Dive R1608, V13.
This octopus, nicknamed the Flapjack Octopus, on pillow basalts at the summit of Axial's Eastern caldera. Credit: UW/OOI-NSF/CSSF, ROPOS Dive R1608, V13.
This Flapjack Octopus was imaged by the Canadian robotic vehicle ROPOS at a water depth of 5728 feet on Axial Seamount. Photo credit: OOI-NSF/UW/CSSF, V11
This Flapjack Octopus was imaged by the Canadian robotic vehicle ROPOS at a water depth of 5728 feet on Axial Seamount. Photo credit: OOI-NSF/UW/CSSF, V11
This Flapjack Octopus floated gently above the seafloor for several minutes as we watched it through the eyes of the ROV ROPOS. Credit: UW/OOI-NSF/CSSF, V11.
This Flapjack Octopus floated gently above the seafloor for several minutes as we watched it through the eyes of the ROV ROPOS. Credit: UW/OOI-NSF/CSSF, V11.
Despite the label, this is actually a Flapjack octopus (Opisthoteuthis sp.), which is often confused with Dumbo octopuses. They are not very closely related, but have some similarities: Flapjack octopuses are more squat, with larger eyes, smaller fins, more often orange in coloration, and shorter arms with more webbing between them.
Despite the label, this is actually a Flapjack octopus (Opisthoteuthis sp.), which is often confused with Dumbo octopuses. They are not very closely related, but have some similarities: Flapjack octopuses are more squat, with larger eyes, smaller fins, more often orange in coloration, and shorter arms with more webbing between them.