Flapjack Devilfish

photo: E. Loury

This octopus out of water is a strange sight, but it sheds a little light on the common name of the Flapjack Octopus, also known as the Flapjack Devilfish.  These squishy deep-dwelling creatures are the flattest species of octopuses.  You might not recognize her, but a related species of Flapjack Octopus was famously portrayed by the character Pearl in Finding Nemo. One of her tentacles might look a little shorter, but you can’t really tell if she twirls ’em…

Caught in a deepwater fish survey off of southern California. (photo: E. Loury)