This species lives in rocky areas or at the bottom of the sea in stony areas.

It has a large head and an oval body with rough skin, and is well known for its eight long arms with two rows of suckers that help it adhere to different surfaces. The octopus usually feeds on fish and molluscs with its strong jaws, and it has a sack filled with ink to be used when it feels threatened by its predators. It is caught in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Its meat has similar protein content to beef and a high biological value due to its digestibility. The octopus is low calorie and its fat and cholesterol content is, therefore, very low.

It contains considerable proportions of vitamins, principally vitamin A and B group vitamins. The octopus is also an important source of minerals, particularly iodine, calcium and iron .

	Octopus La Rioja style [see recipe]