Rare, elusive pancake-like octopus spotted in unchartered deep waters off Caribbean island
The flapjack octopus can be found in oceans worldwide, but because they reside so deep in the ocean, they are rarely recorded by anything other than robotic submersibles.
See it: 'Flapjack' octopus swims around the ocean floor
This coral-colored octopus, called a "Flapjack" octopus, can be found all over the world, but a recent expedition led by the Schmidt Ocean Institute in Trinidad and Tobago caught video of one of these elusive deep-sea creatures.
A coral-colored octopus resembling a pancake was spotted recently during an expedition led by the Schmidt Ocean Institute off the coast of Trinidad and Tobago.
Opisthoteuthis, otherwise known as a flapjack, is a genus of the cirrate octopus. These octopi have flexible umbrella-like bodies they use to swim and float through the deep ocean, which turn pancake-like when they land on the sea floor.
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The flapjack octopus swimming toward the robotic submersible led by Schmidt Ocean Institute research teams.
( ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute / FOX Weather)
The octopi use tiny little fins that help guide them through the ocean. Their fins almost resemble little elephant ears atop their head.
Video taken by the Schmidt Ocean Institute shows the octopus, swimming 3,412 feet down, just above the ocean floor.
The flapjack octopus can be found in oceans worldwide, but because they reside so deep in the ocean, they are rarely recorded by anything other than robotic submersibles.
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Fully grown, the octopus can be up to 20 inches long, according to the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute.
Still shows the flapjack octopus' fins, helping it to swim.
( ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute / FOX Weather)
Flapjack octopi have a diet of small worms and crustaceans.
Dr Diva Amon from SpeSeas along with a largely Trinbagonian team of scientists are conducting the first detailed study of the islands’ deep sea, Schmidt Ocean Institute said.
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In the video, the octopus swam into the camera's shot, as a voice came over the video.
Still shows the octopus propelling forward and out of frame.
( ROV SuBastian / Schmidt Ocean Institute / FOX Weather)
"Wow, look at that," the voice said. "This is the deep sea, guys. So beautiful."
As the octopus swam out of frame, it kicked up dirt and sand from the ocean floor.
The Schmidt Ocean Institute is a nonprofit organization which was established to advance oceanographic research, discovery and knowledge, and catalyze sharing of information about the oceans.