A METHIL fisherman did an eightsome reel to net an octopus.

The octopus, which was discovered in a creel, has now gone on display at Deep Sea World in North Queensferry.

The curled octopus was accidentally caught by fishermen on board the Nereus who kept it alive in a bucket and contacted the zoological team at the Fife aquarium.

Aquarist Chris Rowe said the octopus was in excellent condition.

He said, “Octopus are truly incredible creatures and can squeeze through the tiniest of gaps.”

He added, “She’s a fine specimen and is already proving popular with visitors who often find it difficult to believe that such an exotic-looking creature could be living around our coastline,” he added.

Curled octopus get their name from their slender, arms which curl at the end.

Although they are usually reddish brown, they can change shades quickly and discharge “ink” when threatened.

Octopus have no bones or skeleton and can squeeze through any gap that their beak can fit through. This could be a small as a tube of Smarties.

Its eyes are like humans and it has the largest and most advanced brain of any invertebrate.

Although they belong to the same family as slugs and snails, octopus can perform complex tasks.

As well as unscrewing jars, they can open boxes, distinguish between different shapes and colours and complete mazes.