Ghost the Giant Pacific Octopus: A Farewell Full of Love
Marine life lovers across California and beyond are sending heartfelt goodbyes to Ghost, a giant Pacific octopus at Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, as she enters the final phase of her life. Ghost is now focused entirely on caring for her eggs—a natural part of the octopus life cycle known as senescence—even though the eggs are unfertilized and will never hatch.
Social media has been flooded with tributes from fans who remember Ghost from past visits. Some have even shared tattoos and souvenirs featuring her image. The aquarium posted, “She is a wonderful octopus and has made an eight-armed impression on all of our hearts,” highlighting her unique bond with visitors.
Understanding Senescence in Giant Pacific Octopuses
Giant Pacific octopuses (Enteroctopus dofleini) live an average of three to five years. During senescence, female octopuses stop eating and devote all their remaining energy to protecting and aerating their eggs. This process prevents harmful bacteria from growing on them—an instinctive behavior observed both in the wild and in captivity.
According to Nate Jaros, Vice President of Animal Care at the aquarium, octopuses are solitary creatures:
“You really can’t combine males and females for long periods because they don’t naturally cohabitate. There’s a high risk of aggression or even death.”
Ghost’s Journey: From British Columbia to California
Ghost originally came from the waters of British Columbia, Canada, and arrived at the aquarium in May 2024 weighing just 3 pounds (1.4 kg). Over time, she grew to an impressive 50 pounds (22.7 kg) and became known for her playful and interactive nature.
Jaros described Ghost as “super active and very physical,” noting that she often pushed aside food just to interact with her caregivers. She was trained to crawl into a basket voluntarily for weighing, a testament to the intelligence and adaptability of giant Pacific octopuses.
Enrichment and Intelligence: Ghost’s Legacy
Aquarium staff provided Ghost with toys, puzzles, and even a custom-built acrylic maze to keep her stimulated—challenges she mastered almost instantly. Such enrichment activities mimic hunting behaviors in the wild, like catching crabs and clams.
Jaros added:
“Octopuses are incredibly special because of how charismatic and intelligent they seem to be. We form strong bonds with these animals.”
A New Octopus Will Continue Ghost’s Mission
While Ghost is receiving private care during her final days, the aquarium has already welcomed a new young octopus, weighing about 2 pounds (900 g). Staff will spend time observing its personality before choosing a name. Early impressions suggest the newcomer is “super curious” and “very outgoing,” promising to continue Ghost’s role as an ambassador for ocean education.
Fans Reflect on Ghost’s Impact
Marine biology student Jay McMahon from Los Angeles expressed his gratitude for seeing Ghost again recently:
“When you make a connection with an animal like that and you know they don’t live for long, every moment means a lot. I hope she inspires people to learn more about octopuses and their importance.”
Ghost’s story highlights the incredible intelligence and emotional connection these marine creatures can create. Her legacy will live on through the people she inspired and the new octopus ready to educate and captivate future visitors.