Invertebrate · GBIF taxon 2289248
Opisthoteuthis californiana
Opisthoteuthis californianaAlso known as Flapjack Devilfish, Pacific Flapjack Octopus
Flapjack octopuses are deep-sea cephalopods renowned for their flattened, umbrella-like body shape and small, ear-like fins. They move through the pitch-black bathyal depths by pulsing their webbed arms or gently flapping their fins to hover just above the ocean floor. When resting, they flatten completely against the soft sediment, blending into the dark abyssal environment while searching for microscopic benthic prey.
Deep SeaGelatinousBenthic
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Data DeficientConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXData Deficient — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Amphipods
- Mysids
- Polychaete worms
Predators
- Deep-diving fish
- Sperm whales
- Fur seals
ThreatsDeep-sea trawling, ocean warming, deep-sea mining disturbance
HabitatsDeep ocean floor, bathyal zone (300–1,500 m depths)
Life span3–5 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderOctopoda
- FamilyOpisthoteuthidae
- GenusOpisthoteuthis
- SpeciesOpisthoteuthis californiana
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe, though only encountered via deep-sea submersibles.
Responsible observation
- Submersible Viewing: Visible almost exclusively through deep-sea research submersibles and remotely operated vehicles.
- Lighting Sensitivity: Keep lights dimmed during observations to protect eyes unaccustomed to sunlight.
- Seafloor Integrity: Avoid disturbing delicate soft-sediment benthic beds where they forage and rest.
Image unavailableDeep-Sea Neighbor Close Relative 
Close Relative NOAA Okeanos Explorer / Public domain · cc0
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