Opisthoteuthis agassizii

rdf:langString Opisthoteuthis agassizii

rdf:langString Verrill, 1883

rdf:langString Opisthoteuthis

rdf:langString Black and white drawing of a finned octopus.

rdf:langString O. agassizii

rdf:langString agassizii

rdf:langString DD

rdf:langString IUCN3.1

rdf:langString Opisthoteuthis agassizii is a lesser-known, deep-sea octopus first described in 1883 by Addison E. Verrill. Like all cirrate octopuses, O. agassizii has fleshy fins to aid in swimming and a small internal shell. Males are up to four times heavier than females, and their suckers are proportionally larger. Both sexes are small. This species is found found in the north-west, and western Atlantic coasts, over depths of 277 to 1,935 meters (historic records from east Atlantic coasts were likely misidentifications with other Opisthoteuthis). Like other opisthoteuthids, they occupy the benthic zone, living on or near the seafloor. These octopuses most likely prey on polychaete worms and crustaceans that live on or just above the seafloor. All females of O. agassizii become sexually mature when they reach 190 grams (6.702 oz.) and all males are sexually mature once they reach 95 g (3.351 oz.). However, both sexes continue to grow after they reach maturity. While O. agassizii exists across a wide depth range, heavier octopuses generally live 700 meters or more from the ocean's surface. As age and sexual maturity correlate with weight in this species, this means octopuses at a greater depth are more likely to be sexually mature.