Amphioctopus aegina, commonly referred to as the marbled octopus or the sandbird octopus, is a bottom dwelling species residing in the coastal zone of the Indo-West Pacific. Planktonic hatchlings and eggs are laid by females predominantly during the months of January and October, however they have been known to reproduce year-round.

Description These cephalopods are moderately sized and have a mantle (visceral hump) approximately 4–10 centimetres (1.6–3.9 in) in length.They typically display a white stripe down the midline of the mantle, and another horizontal stripe between the eyes. Their arms are twice the length of their head with the lateral arms being the longest, and the males possess a hectocotylized third right arm. Each arm has two rows of suckers, and has the capability of regeneration in cases of loss or damage.

Diet The sandbird octopus consumes a carnivorous diet of smaller fish species, shrimp, and crabs. They hunt in sub-tidal areas among soft substrates.

Reproduction After spawning, the female sandbird octopus has been found to brood the egg cluster in her arm web. This is known as egg cradling, and is unique compared to most octopod species, as they typically attach their eggs to hard surfaces via strings. Egg spawning for the sandbird octopus however has only been closely observed in captivity for experimentation purposes, meaning it is possible that their preferred substrates were lacking, resulting in unnatural brooding habits.