Frogfish and octopus in NC in October

[WinfieldNC]

While diving on the John D. Gill yesterday I came across these two. John D. Gill is 25 miles offshore in about 90 feet of water. Diving with Aquatic Safaris out of Wilmington, NC.

 

[WinfieldNC]

Hey @Steve_C I thought you might like to see these. Good seeing you yesterday.

 

[Steve_C]

Hey @Steve_C I thought you might like to see these. Good seeing you yesterday.

Two great finds. Thanks for sharing.

Those oscellated frog fish are cool and vary a lot.

I know they can change colors easily but that octopus somehow looks different from the ones I have seen in NC. Is it still the common atlantic octopus?

 

[WinfieldNC]

Two great finds. Thanks for sharing.

Those oscellated frog fish are cool and vary a lot.

I know they can change colors easily but that octopus somehow looks different from the ones I have seen in NC. Is it still the common atlantic octopus?

I’m not sure what kind of octopus it is. The false eye spots are very pronounced. I did a little googling and came across the California two spot octopus but that’s obviously the wrong coast. Maybe someone else will know. Who’s an octopus expert on here?

 

[Eileen Kruer]

Cannot answer your octopus question, but have questions about the John D. Gill. Going to be in Wilmington area next week. Never dived there as we are cold wussies. Do you recommend a dive shop I can contact for current conditions?

 

[WinfieldNC]

Cannot answer your octopus question, but have questions about the John D. Gill. Going to be in Wilmington area next week. Never dived there as we are cold wussies. Do you recommend a dive shop I can contact for current conditions?

Aquatic Safaris is the shop I use in Wilmington. They run a larger boat that holds more people but their prices are so much more reasonable than the six pack boats that I don’t care. They are a professional group and have always had good experiences.