This small octopus reaches a maximum length of about 20 inches (50 cm.) from tentacle tip to tentacle tip and weight of 1 lb (0.4 kg). Its skin has many pointed cylindrical papillae including three prominent papillae (“eyelashes”) beneath each eye.

The diet of the East Pacific red octopus includes small crabs, hermit crabs, bivalves and fish. Lifespan for this cephalopod is 2 years and it ranges from the intertidal zone to a depth of 1000 feet (300 meters). Other common names for it are ruby octopus and Pacific red octopus. This little octopus is known to have a venomous bite.