Species profile
Atlantic White-spotted Octopus
Callistoctopus macropus
Identify Atlantic White-spotted Octopus (Callistoctopus macropus) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 4 jurisdictions.
At a glance
Atlantic White-spotted Octopus (Callistoctopus macropus) is an IUCN Least Concern octopus/squid regulated in 4 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
Bag limits are uniform at 1 per angler across the 3 regulating jurisdictions.
Notable details
- Recognized by vivid white spots scattered across a reddish-brown body.
- Has proportionally longer arms relative to body size than most octopus species.
- A nocturnal predator, it shelters in crevices during the day and hunts crustaceans at night.
- Found in warm waters of the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Indian Ocean.
- Like all octopuses, it can change color and skin texture within milliseconds for camouflage.
Jurisdictions with rules for Atlantic White-spotted Octopus
Background
Callistoctopus macropus, also known as the Atlantic white-spotted octopus, white-spotted octopus, grass octopus or grass scuttle, is a species of octopus found in shallow areas of the Mediterranean Sea, the warmer parts of the eastern and western Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Indo-Pacific region. This octopus feeds on small organisms which lurk among the branches of corals.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Atlantic White-spotted Octopus article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other octopus/squid on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Atlantic White-spotted Octopus?
Atlantic White-spotted Octopus (Callistoctopus macropus) is an IUCN Least Concern octopus/squid regulated in 4 of 66 jurisdictions tracked by CatchRules across the U.S. and Canada.
What is the scientific name for Atlantic White-spotted Octopus?
Atlantic White-spotted Octopus is Callistoctopus macropus.
Is Atlantic White-spotted Octopus regulated for fishing?
Yes — Atlantic White-spotted Octopus has fishing regulations in 4 U.S. states and/or Canadian provinces tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Atlantic White-spotted Octopus?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Atlantic White-spotted Octopus along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.