Least Concern· population trend unknown· assessed 2018

Day octopus

Octopus cyanea

Sighting evidence at General Stores, Kauai

Photo: jfisk · CC BY-NC

The basalt block habitat at General Stores is ideal for day octopus, which require crevices for egg-brooding and retreating after hunts. They hunt crustaceans and fish with remarkable speed and intelligence, using tools such as coconut shell halves and shells as portable shelters — a behaviour documented in Hawaiian populations. At this site they are frequently spotted in the open, stalking prey with colour-changing flanks rippling in real time, providing some of the most reliable octopus encounters on the island.

Evidence at this site

4 records within 25 km

Confidence: low

Last confirmed May 2025

Seasonality

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How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Day octopus

Evidence at this site

Seasonality

Also seen at other sites