Day octopus
Red Sea marine life

Day octopus

Active by day, changes colour and texture in seconds to match surroundings.

All Red Sea marine life

About this species

Probably the smartest invertebrate you'll meet on a snorkel. Watch one stalk a crab and you'll see deliberate, problem-solving behaviour. Can pour its body through holes smaller than a coin.

Where to find it

Rocky reef edges, 1 to 15 m.

Safety for snorkelers

Common questions

Day octopus: is it dangerous for snorkelers?+

Safe. It is harmless to snorkelers. Watch from a respectful distance and do not chase or feed it.

Day octopus: where can you see it in Egypt?+

Rocky reef edges, 1 to 15 m. These trips go where this species lives. It is a wild animal, so a sighting is possible and never promised.

Day octopus: how big does it get?+

60 cm arm span

More Red Sea species