Octopus mimus

Octopus mimus (Gould octopus) is commonly found between northern Peru and northern Chile.[1] The species is relatively large with a round sacciform mantle without fins.[2] The tentacles are moderately large, approximately 4 times longer than the mantle.[2] The 3rd tentacle on the right holds the short, thin copulatory organ in males.[2] The color ranges, with individuals commonly speckled a mix of gray, yellow, black, green.[2] It is primarily benthic, living in rocky substrates and kelp forests until depths of 200 m.[3] The species is dicecious, breeding throughout the year with one or two peaks depending on the latitude.[4] After mating the female cares for the eggs letting her body deteriorate until death.[4] This animal grows up to 115 cm in length and 3.7 kg in females and 107 cm in length and 4.4 kg in males.[4] Juveniles can double in size ever 30 to 60 days.[4] The Gould octopus is an opportunistic predator feeding primarily on crustaceans, mollusks, fish, and echinoderms.[3] This species is also commonly fished in Peru and Chile.

Gould octopus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Cephalopoda
Order:	Octopoda
Family:	Octopodidae
Genus:	Octopus
Species:	O. mimus
Binomial name
Octopus mimus Gould, 1852

References

1. Tresierra, A., P. Ramirez, S. Alfaro, S. Campos & L. De Lucio. 2009. Catalogo de Invertebrados Marinos de La Región La Libertad. Inst. Mar del Peru. 114 pp.
2. Cardosa, F., P. Villegas y C. Estrella. 2004. Observaciones sobre la biologia de Octopus mimus (Cephalopoda: Octopoda) en la costa peruana. Rev. Peru. Biol. 11(1): 45-50.
3. Zúñiga, O., A. Olivares Paz & I. Torres. 2011. Evaluación del crecimiento del pulpo común Octopus mimus del norte de Chile alimentado con dietas formuladas. Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research 39(3): 584-592.
4. Cortez, T., A. F. González & A. Guerra. 1999. Growth of Octopus mimus (Cephalopoda, Octopodidae) in wild populations. Fisheries Research, 42(1-2): 31-39.