Grimpoteuthis
sp., (aka “Dumbo” octopus) was spotted on the seafloor 3,500 meters
below the ocean surface offshore of Monterey Bay.
Cirrate octopuses have a small, internal shell and two fins on their head, separating them from other octopuses (Incirrata), which have neither.
This group includes the famous dumbo octopus, Grimpoteuthis, as well as flapjack octopus, Opisthoteuthis, and some lesser known genera.
They are usually found on or near the deep seafloor, where they use the finger-like cirri on their arms to catch small crustaceans, worms, and other prey items. ⠀