Horned Octopus
Eledone cirrhosa
FR Élédone commune · ES Pulpo blanco · PT Polvo-cabeçudo · IT Moscardino bianco · DE Zirrenkrake
Also known as: Curled OctopusLesser OctopusPulpo blancoÉlédone communeZirrenkrakeMoscardino biancoPolvo-cabeçudo
CephalopodBoat
Cephalopod
Score
—
Prime time
Year-round; daylight over den sites
Depth
0–100m
Platform
Boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak Jun–AugGood May–Sep
Depth range
0–100mDeep
Best fishing techniques
Bottom Fishing / Ledgering80%
Running Ledger60%
Preferred seabed
RockMixed
Findr bio
Small horn-like bumps freckle my skin and give me my name — pull me from a rocky ledge and you're holding the single-sucker-row rebel of the octopus world.
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
Rocky shoreWreck reefDeep water
Recommended baits
Fish baitsSquidEgis
Diet
CrabShrimpSmall fishEchinodermsPolychaete worms
Effective techniques
Bottom FishingRunning Ledger
Gear
Best times
Night
Look close at my arms — one tidy row of suckers, not the double row my common octopus cousins flaunt.
Field notes
Where to find them
Rocky/reef inshore waters, tropical/temperate
Where they hang out
Reef and rock structure, shallow to moderate depth
Prime time
Year-round; daylight over den sites
Tide game
Moderate
What they're into
Squid jigs and small crab baits near dens
Temperature vibe
Broadly tolerant
Fave weather
Calm, clear water best
Fun fact about me
Small fleshy "horns" above my eyes — cirrhosa by name, curious by nature.
Dinner material?
6/10Edible, nothing special
Play by the rules
Check local size/bag rulesLocal/regional fisheries authority
Looking after them
Data Deficient