Profile updated on 8 December 2022
SCIENTIFIC NAME(s)
Amphioctopus aegina
SPECIES NAME(s)
Sandbird octopus
COMMON NAMES
Marbled octopus
The Sandbird octopus (Amphioctopus aegina; previously genus Octopus) is found throughout the Indo-West Pacific coastal region, from Mozambique to the Red Sea and Japan, from 30 to 120 m depth (FAO 1984). It reaches a maximum total length of 30.0 cm and supports subsistence fisheries in East Africa. Fishermen traditionally capture it by trawl, traps, or hook-and-line as part of a multispecific fishing activity (FAO 1984)(Nabhitabhata 2014). It inhabits sand and muddy sand areas, mostly hides in holes, and defends its turf (Nabhitabhata 2014). Additionally, it was believed that Octopus dollfusi was a different species, but it was recently proven to be the same (Yan et al. 2018).
Management Quality:
< 6
< 6
DATA DEFICIENT