Sexing Octopus mercatoris

[mr. bojangsjang]

How do you sex O. mercatoris? Can you tell from the time they are juveniles?

 

[mr. bojangsjang]

Calling Dr. Roy.....

 

[mucktopus]

I'm no Dr. Roy, but hopefully this post from Tonmo will help. Scroll down to post #7.

http://www.tonmo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2033

I'm not sure how large mercatoris are when the hectocotylus becomes visible, but in the somewhat smaller O. bocki, males can be identified at a mantle length of about 5 mm. My guess is by the time mercatoris have a mantle length of about 10 - 15 mm you'd be able to tell. Let us know how it goes.

 

[mr. bojangsjang]

Thank you!