Grimpoteuthis is a genus of pelagic cirrate (finned) octopods known as the dumbo octopus.
The Dumbo octopus has a gelatinous body and uses fin propulsion for movement, which also helps it to conserve energy in its extreme deep-sea environment. These unique physical traits distinguish it from other octopuses, which primarily rely on jet propulsion. The average life span of various Grimpoteuthis species is 3 to 5 years.
Range and habitat
thumb|Grimpoteuthis off [[Guyana.]]
Species of Grimpoteuthis are assumed to have a worldwide distribution, living in the cold, abyssal depths ranging from . Specimens have been found off the coasts of Oregon, the Philippines, Martha's Vineyard, the Azores, New Zealand, Australia, California, Papua and New Guinea, Argentina, Uruguay, and in the Gulf of Mexico.
A fairly recent observation was on 21 June 2022 at by the vessel Normand Ocean, which inspects drilling platforms with underwater drones; the vessel was examining chains and risers on the Aasta Hansteen platform outside Trøndelag, Norway. Another recent observation was on 24 May 2023 at this time in Guyana by the vessel Far Samson, which also uses underwater drones.
Further to this, the most recent known recorded observation was on 5th March 2025 by the Vessel "Boka Falcon" with a Workclass Remotely Operated Vehicle working at a depth of 960m in the Gulf Of Guinea approximately 65km South West of Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Two separate sightings approximate 20 minutes apart were observed.
Dumbo octopuses are the deepest living octopuses known, with some specimens captured or observed at hadal depths. One Grimpoteuthis specimen was captured southeast of Grand Cayman at , but this depth is uncertain (as the specimen may have been captured while the net was descending to this depth).
In 2020, Grimpoteuthis was spotted deep in the Java Trench, confirming the hadal distribution of this genus.
Species and taxonomy
As noted below, many species collected on the Challenger expedition were initially classified in the genera Cirroteuthis and Stauroteuthis.
| (off New Zealand)
|align="right"| 628 m
| Known from a single specimen. Internal shell form distinct from others in genus.
| North Pacific (Tufts and Cascadia abyssal Plains, off Oregon)
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|Grimpoteuthis boylei
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| Northeast Atlantic (Porcupine and Madeira abyssal plains)
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| Grimpoteuthis challengeri
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| Northeast Atlantic (Porcupine abyssal plain)
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| Grimpoteuthis discoveryi
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| Northeast Atlantic
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|Grimpoteuthis feitiana
|Tang, Zheng & Zhang, 2025
|Caroline Seamount, western Pacific Ocean
|1240 m
|Known from one specimen
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| Grimpoteuthis greeni
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| East Pacific (off Malpelo Island)
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| Previously assigned to genus Stauroteuthis; known from a single, "sadly mutilated" individual according to Hoyle.
| Emperor Seamounts, North Pacific
|align="right"| –
|Known from a single specimen.
| South Pacific (east of New Zealand)
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| Alternatively classified as Enigmatiteuthis
| West Pacific (off Meangis Islands, near Philippines)
|align="right"| 925 m
| Previously assigned to genera Cirroteuthis
| Northwest Atlantic (southeast of Martha's Vineyard)
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| Previously assigned to genus Cirroteuthis
| South Pacific (off Papua New Guinea)
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| Previously assigned to genus Cirroteuthis
| Northwest Atlantic
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| Previously assigned to genus Cirroteuthis
| North Pacific (Tufts and Cascadia abyssal plains off Oregon)
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| Grimpoteuthis umbellata
| Fischer (1883)
| North Atlantic (off Morocco, Canary Islands, and the Azores)
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| Previously assigned to genus Cirroteuthis
| Northeast and northwest Atlantic
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Movement, characteristics, and food supply
Observations of animals in the Atlantic reveal that Grimpoteuthis often rest on the seafloor with the arms and web spread out and uses its arms to slowly crawl along the seafloor. When disturbed, the webbing and arms are contracted to propel the animal off the seafloor and using the mantle fins for rapid locomotion.
The cushiony cartilage that can be found in the proximal position of the fin of Grimpoteuthis is responsible for acting as a support for the thick muscles that allow for rapid locomotion.
Although it has been suggested that species of Grimpoteuthis are capable of jet-propulsion (while swimming using the fins), this has since been deemed unlikely. which solidify on contact with the cold seawater. Grimpoteuthis in particular attach their eggs to deep sea corals (octocorals).
Unlike other octopuses, the female cirrate octopus does not guard or incubate the eggs.
The Grimpoteuthis do not have an ink sac (as is the case with all cirrate octopuses). Furthermore, the cirrate octopuses lack innervated chromatophores and therefore are not capable of changing color
How cirrate octopuses escape or avoid predators is largely unknown.