Baby Octopus
Also known as：Ocellated octopus, small octopus
Octopus ocellatus
- Origin
- East China Sea, Yellow Sea
- Season
- Apr–Oct
- Appearance
- Small with short thick arms bearing two rows of suckers; grey-brown color-shifting skin. A small octopus with remarkable climbing vigor when live.
Content compiled by the Xian Mancang team
Introduction
品种介绍'Wangchao' (short-arm octopus) is a small octopus of the East and Yellow Seas. Tender, springy, sweet; the name evokes its habit of emerging from mud burrows as the tide falls to feed.
Chaoshan raw-marinated and eastern Zhejiang scallion-oil preparations both demand live specimens — vitality directly decides flavor.
Holding Environment
暂养环境Xian Mancang holding advisor: temperature, salinity, water quality and density references per species — feel free to exchange holding experience.
Live holding: 12–20°C, salinity 25–32‰, clear water with DO ≥6 mg/L, density 5–15 kg per cubic meter.
Extremely stress-prone: shade, minimal disturbance, gentle handling to prevent inking; hold 2–4 days; may feed small bits of fish meat. Parameters above are reference values — adjust to water quality and season.
Economic Value
经济价值Small size and limited output yet priced above ordinary octopus per jin — a specialty premium category of seafood markets. Raw-marinated and blanched demand drive live direct supply; foodservice margins are healthy.
Culinary & Commercial Use
烹饪与商业用途Chaoshan 'raw-marinated wangchao' is the seasonal delicacy: live octopus cured with garlic, chili and soy — crisp and sweet; eastern Zhejiang's scallion-oil and blanched-soy styles equally highlight the freshness.
Foodservice: upscale Cantonese and Chaoshan restaurants and specialty bistros — small volume, high quality, a great menu highlight.
Buying Guide
选购指南Live: strong arm extension and vigorous struggle out of water; natural color, no damage. Common size is finger-length (5–10 cm).
Market Reference
规格行情Reference price: live 40–90 CNY/jin by size and season. Spring-autumn supply is ample; winter scarcity pushes prices up.
Baby Octopus · FAQs
How do I pick the freshest Baby Octopus?
Live: strong arm extension and vigorous struggle out of water; natural color, no damage. Common size is finger-length (5–10 cm).
What are the live-holding requirements for Baby Octopus?
Live holding: 12–20°C, salinity 25–32‰, clear water with DO ≥6 mg/L, density 5–15 kg per cubic meter.
What is the current market price of Baby Octopus?
Reference price: live 40–90 CNY/jin by size and season. Spring-autumn supply is ample; winter scarcity pushes prices up.
How do I cook Baby Octopus? What methods work best?
Chaoshan 'raw-marinated wangchao' is the seasonal delicacy: live octopus cured with garlic, chili and soy — crisp and sweet; eastern Zhejiang's scallion-oil and blanched-soy styles equally highlight the freshness.
Baby Octopus · For stock availability and holding consultation, contact us