Dip netted under lights at night (collected under Marine Reserve permit issued by New Zealand Department of Conservation). Two specimens held in Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (NMNZ M.287259, M.287291). Identification by Kathrin Bolstad, AUT.

**NOTE**
This Octopus was accidentally caught and was immediately released when safe to do so. This unique and beautiful creature was not harmed in this encounter

Visual Description:
This Common Octopus shown can be seen on our boat that my family and I were fishing on, where it was stuck to another fish that we reeled in and was brought into the boat. This juvenile Octopus was roughly the size of a cereal box, with 1 foot long tentacles full of grippy suction cups. Compared to the family of their species, a common octopus is usually medium-sized and reddish black in color. The suction cups run along the bottom ends of their tentacles, allowing for great maneuverability along surfaces, efficiency for catching food, and defense against pray. Below their head is a mouth that contains a beak, where usually they can eat or bit enemy pray.

Habitat:
The Common Octopus can be seen in warmer climates, but specifically in tropical and temperate seas all across the world. They may also thrive in depths as low as 200 m. Octopus are very common in Florida as the warm water and plentiful aquamarine life perfectly suits their needs.

References:
Common Octopus Habitat/Lifestyle:
https://www.britannica.com/animal/common-octopus

More Information:
http://www.thecephalopodpage.org/Octopusvulgaris.php