Malta Fishing Forum

• Maltese:- Qarnita
• English:-  Common Octopus
• Italian:-   Polpo Comune
• Latin:-     Octopus vulgaris
• Order:-    Octopoda
• Class:-    Cephalopoda
• Family:-   Octopodidae
• Genus:-    Octopus

Grows up to 150cm. Lives in all types of marine habitats, usually hiding in holes. Feeds on crabs, fish, bivalves and gastropods. Lacks shell. Tentacles armed with two rows of suckers. Releases cloud of black ink when threatened. Has excellent camouflage. Female lays numerous eggs, which it tends until they hatch. Common.

• Maltese:- Frajjel/Qarnitu
• English:-  Atlantic White-spotted Octopus
• Italian:-   Polpessa
• Latin:-     Octopus macropus
• Order:-    Octopoda
• Class:-    Cephalopoda
• Family:-   Octopodidae
• Genus:-    Octopus

this week I was diving with markcam on the south side and saw a lot of octopus eggs. Also in a place there was an octopus like watching on them

• Maltese:- Sicca
• English:-  Common Cuttlefish
• Italian:-   Seppia
• Latin:-     Sepia officinalis
• Order:-    Sepiida
• Class:-    Cephalopoda
• Family:-   Sepiidae
• Genus:-    Sepia

Grows up to 30cm. Lives in sandy, muddy or rocky habitats. Feeds on fish and crustaceans, which it catches with great swiftness. Lays large, round, blackish eggs which it attaches to seaweeds or Posidonia in shallow water round about March. Eggs hatch in April-May. Shell (cuttlebone) often washed ashore. Common.