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Octopuses of Lembeh
This is a continuously updated documentation of all the octopus species that live in the waters of Lembeh, made possible by our guest photographers and videographers. So far 10 species have been documented here, across 6 different genera, with 74 photographs and 56 filmed moments. The newest addition is from July 2026.
Wunderpus photogenicus by Fredrik Ehrenstrom – Lembeh Strait, 2007
Lembeh hosts a variety of Octopus species! Each with its own unique behavior, intelligence, habitats, and other quirks. All octopus are venomous, though only the Blue-Ringed and the Mototi are potentially lethal. Some species are higher and others are lower on the food chain, most forage for food by hunting crustaceans and fish.
How to navigate this page
- The species index below lists every species in alphabetical order by scientific name. Tap one to jump straight to its section.
- Each species has its own photographs and films, newest first. Slide them left and right, or use the arrows.
- Films are timestamped to the moment the species appears. Tap a timestamp and the film plays from there, on this page.
- Under every photograph is the month it was taken and the name of the photographer. Tap the name to see the rest of their contribution in the main gallery.
- Everything here was contributed by guests diving with us, and the page is updated whenever new material arrives.
Identifications & Corrections / Contact us
All the identification was done to the best of our personal knowledge. If you notice there’s an incorrect identification, then please let us know and we’ll update the documentation accordingly.
To help us find the right photograph quickly, please mention the species, the photographer’s name and the month shown beneath it.
Mosaic Octopus Abdopus abaculus
A very small pygmy octopus usually found in sites with shallow and sandy bottoms. Very little is known about this particular octopus; its behavior, habits and feeding is yet to be discovered!
Photographs
Algae Octopus Abdopus aculeatus
Often well-camouflaged, we see this species in sites with corals and rubble, as their main method of feeding is by foraging smaller crustaceans. Recognized by the white line running across their head, but only when they’re not camouflaged.
Photographs
Films
Appears at (1)
- camouflaging
Longarm Octopus Abdopus sp.
An undescribed, but well documented species of Octopus seen in the waters of Lembeh. Found in dive-sites with sandy bottoms. They can be fast swimmers, and can be a bit difficult to photograph because of it. Recognized by the pale coloring and black patterns on its skin, and of course the long arms. Though, often they’re seen short of a few arms.
Photographs
Films
Appears at (1)
- undescribed but well documented in Lembeh
Appears at (1)
- undescribed but well documented in Lembeh
Appears at (1)
- undescribed but well documented in Lembeh
Appears at (2)
- undescribed but well documented in Lembeh
- undescribed but well documented in Lembeh, during a night dive
Coconut Octopus Amphioctopus marginatus
Also known as the veined octopus, this species is famously known for being intelligent, curious and playful! Found in mucky dive-sites, the Coconut Octopuses utilizes a variety of shelters not only of coconut shells, it can be sea-shells, glass bottles, and even tin-cans. Divers can sometimes trade objects with the coconut octopus by offering a better container for shelter, where then the coconut octopus will leave it’s current shelter to inspect the new potential shelter. They’re also quite curious of cameras, possibly due to the reflection from the glass. Divers should be mindful and to not disturb them, as they can be bit prone to be irritation, when agitated they begin flashing colors around their eyes, and squirt ink, even sometimes going as far to lunge at divers. They hunt larger crustaceans such spanner crabs, where upon a successful hunt they would carry them back to their shelter and feed on them for days.
Photographs
Films
Appears at (4)
- up close, focusing on its eye
- nestled inside a coconut shell
- up close, focusing on its arms
- settling back into its coconut shell
Appears at (1)
Appears at (1)
- interacting with shells, through 12:42
Appears at (2)
- sheltering inside an empty bottle
Appears at (1)
- interacting with shells — the shell-carrying behaviour this species is named for. The sequence runs to 1:35
Appears at (7)
- An inquisitive Coconut Octopus taking a magnifying glass from Oky’s vest
- playing with the magnifying glass
- returning to its nest, having had enough of the magnifying glass
- pursuing Oky after she retrieved the magnifying glass
- An agitated Coconut Octopus releasing ink at Oky
- lunging at Oky’s camera — both diver and octopus were unharmed, and the magnifying glass stayed with Oky
Appears at (6)
- partly sheltering in a half-buried shell
- choosing a discarded metal can as shelter
- sheltered inside the metal can
- Oky offering a coconut shell to the Coconut Octopus, which leaves the can to inspect it
- comparing the metal can and the coconut shell, with its arms on both
- choosing the metal can over the coconut shell, and sheltering inside it
Appears at (6)
- attacking a Spanner Crab (Ranina ranina) that was concealed under the sand — the octopus’s dark coloration signals an aroused, aggressive state
- biting through the crab’s shell with its beak and introducing venom from its salivary glands
- dragging the Spanner Crab (Ranina ranina) back to its shelter
- The Coconut Octopus arriving back at its lair, a half-buried coconut shell, and beginning to consume the Spanner Crab
- The Coconut Octopus picking up the empty shell, leaving its shelter and throwing it towards Oky
- The Coconut Octopus retreating into its coconut-shell shelter
Appears at (1)
- sheltering in a shell and digging out sand
Appears at (1)
Mototi Octopus Amphioctopus mototi
Recognized by the single blue-rings on each side of its body. The Mototi comes in several vibrant color variations from yellow with black stripes, orange with a mix of white, and pure red. Due to its blue-rings, it’s often mistaken for a variation of the Blue-Ringed Octopus. It’s currently still unclear if it the Mototi is more or less venomous than the Blue-Ringed Octopus. They feed on small crabs, shrimps and molluscs. Like the Blue-Ringed Octopus, they only flash their blue-rings if agitated. Fortunately they’re not aggressive, only defensive. Found in sites with rubble and sandy bottoms.
Photographs
Films
Appears at (1)
Blue-Ringed Octopus Hapalochlaena sp.
Notorious for being one of the most venomous marine animals. The Blue-Ringed Octopus of Lembeh is easily recognizable by its pale color and the many vibrant blue-rings that flash when agitated. The species found in Lembeh is sometimes referred to as the Greater Blue-Ringed (Hapalochlaena lunulata), but we think this might be incorrect, due to distinct differences on the appearance of the blue-rings and size with the Lembeh Blue-Ringed Octopus being significantly smaller. They feed on small crabs, shrimps and molluscs. Fortunately they’re not aggressive, only defensive. Found in sites with rubble and sandy bottoms.
Photographs
Films
Appears at (1)
Appears at (2)
- swimming
Appears at (1)
- flashing its blue rings
Appears at (4)
- carrying eggs
- flashing its blue rings brightly and repeatedly
- swimming
Day Octopus Octopus cyanea
A larger and diurnal species of octopus in Lembeh. They’re found in sites with coral reefs, where they hunt for fish and crustaceans. Their dens are usually hidden in rocky crevices between reefs. They’re also able to change the patterns on and texture of their skin, and as such have been seen in a variety of different colors and camouflage.
Photographs
Hairy Octopus Octopus sp. 16
An undescribed, but well-documented species. The Hairy Octopus has been seen in Lembeh Strait for decades, but remains undescribed and rather cryptic. Very small at a size of 5 cm, and notoriously difficult to spot as they blend in with algae effortlessly. Found in sites with algae, rubble and sandy bottoms.
Photographs
Mimic Octopus Thaumoctopus mimicus
The Mimic Octopus is famed for its ability to mimic up to 18 different marine animals. From small sponges, flounders, lionfishes, and even sea-kraits depending on the circumstances its in. They hunt small fish using stalking and chasing tactics, but they also forage for food by using its arms to search inside crevices. Found in the shallow areas of sites with sandy bottoms.
Photographs
Films
Appears at (1)
- which the video caption mislabels as a Wunderpus — the same mix-up in reverse
Appears at (2)
- camouflaging, through 12:49
Appears at (1)
- hunting
Wunderpus Octopus Wunderpus photogenicus
Often mistaken for the Mimic Octopus and vise-versa, as both features similar mimicking behavior, and featuring black and white stripes. Although distinctly the Wunderpus features a more rustic orange coloration, thicker black stripes, and orange suckers, whereas the mimic octopus has white suckers. They’re also often found in the same sites of shallow sandy bottoms. There is some documentation where it’s noted the Wunderpus can be particularly aggressive towards the Mimic Octopus.
Photographs
Films
Appears at (1)
- which the video caption mislabels as a Mimic Octopus. They can be a bit difficult to tell apart.
Appears at (3)
- At the left a Wunderpus Octopus; at the right a Reef Lizardfish (Synodus variegatus)
- doing octopus things
Appears at (1)
- swimming and hunting
Appears at (1)
Appears at (1)
- moving over the seabed
