{{Short description|Species of mollusc}} {{Speciesbox | name = Gould octopus | image = Octopus mimus.jpg | taxon = Octopus mimus | authority = Gould, 1852 }}

'''''Octopus mimus''''' ('''Gould octopus''') is commonly found between northern Peru and northern Chile.<ref>Tresierra, A., P. Ramirez, S. Alfaro, S. Campos & L. De Lucio. 2009. Catalogo de Invertebrados Marinos de La Región La Libertad. Inst. Mar del Peru. 114 pp.{{pn|date=March 2024}}</ref> The species is relatively large with a round sacciform mantle without fins.<ref name="Cardosa">{{cite journal |last1=Cardoso |first1=Franz |last2=Villegas |first2=Piero |last3=Estrella |first3=Carlota |title=Observaciones sobre la biología de Octopus mimus (Cephalopoda: Octopoda) en la costa peruana |trans-title=Observations about the biology of Octopus mimus (Cephalopoda: Octopoda) in the Peruvian coast |language=es |journal=Revista Peruana de Biología |date=July 2004 |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=45–50 |doi=10.15381/rpb.v11i1.2432 |doi-access=free }}</ref> The tentacles are moderately large, approximately 4 times longer than the mantle.<ref name="Cardosa"/> The 3rd tentacle on the right holds the short, thin copulatory organ in males.<ref name="Cardosa"/> The color ranges, with individuals commonly speckled a mix of gray, yellow, black, green.<ref name="Cardosa"/> It is primarily benthic, living in rocky substrates and kelp forests until depths of 200 m.<ref name="Zuñiga et al 2011">{{cite journal |last1=Zúñiga |first1=Oscar |last2=Olivares Paz |first2=Alberto |last3=Torres |first3=Ingrid |title=Evaluación del crecimiento del pulpo común Octopus mimus del norte de Chile alimentado con dietas formuladas |trans-title=Growth evaluation of octopus (Octopus mimus) from northern Chile fed with formulated diets |language=es |journal=Latin American Journal of Aquatic Research |date=November 2011 |volume=39 |issue=3 |pages=584–592 |doi=10.3856/vol39-issue3-fulltext-18 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2011LAJAR..39..584Z }}</ref> The species is dioecious, breeding throughout the year with one or two peaks depending on the latitude.<ref name="Cortez et al 1999">{{cite journal |last1=Cortez |first1=Tito |last2=González |first2=Angel F |last3=Guerra |first3=Angel |title=Growth of Octopus mimus (Cephalopoda, Octopodidae) in wild populations |journal=Fisheries Research |date=August 1999 |volume=42 |issue=1–2 |pages=31–39 |doi=10.1016/S0165-7836(99)00040-5 |bibcode=1999FishR..42...31C }}</ref> After mating the female cares for the eggs letting her body deteriorate until death.<ref name="Cortez et al 1999"/> This animal grows up to 115&nbsp;cm in length and 3.7&nbsp;kg in females and 107&nbsp;cm in length and 4.4&nbsp;kg in males.<ref name="Cortez et al 1999"/> Juveniles can double in size every 30 to 60 days.<ref name="Cortez et al 1999"/> The Gould octopus is an opportunistic predator feeding primarily on crustaceans, mollusks, fish, and echinoderms.<ref name="Zuñiga et al 2011"/> This species is commonly fished in Peru and Chile. Semi-Moist diets provide the best growth efficiency for the octopus mimus while also being feasibly sustainable.<ref name="Zuñiga et al 2011"/>

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q2912962}}

Category:Octopodidae Category:Cephalopods described in 1852 Category:Molluscs of Peru Category:Molluscs of Chile

Méndez-Abarca F. & R. Pepe-Victoriano (2020) Invertebrados marinos del norte de Chile: guía para la identificación y mantención en cautiverio. Vol. ll. Fundación Reino Animal & ONG por la conservación de la vida salvaje. Arica, Chile. 1-85 pp.