Invertebrate
Mimic octopus
Thaumoctopus mimicus
IUCN status: Unknown
A long-armed sand octopus able to imitate the shape and movement of other animals such as flatfish, lionfish and sea snakes. Active by day over open muck, unlike most octopus. Lembeh is one of the more reliable places in the world to find it.
- Max size
- ~60cm arm span
- Habitat
- Open black-sand flats near burrows
Best places to dive with Mimic octopus
rareoccasionalcommonly seenpeak season
Anilao, Batangas
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Found on silty muck sites like Secret Bay; a sought-after but unpredictable sighting.
Lembeh Strait
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
Seen through the year at sandy sites like TK, but never guaranteed on a given dive; depends on the guide locating an active individual.
Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
This is a researched draft, not yet human-verified. The seasonality and logistics are drawn from the sources below — confirm specifics (permits, fees, closures) with an operator before you book.