[1][2] O. minor is commonly found in the mudflats of sub-tidal zones where it is exposed to significant environmental variation.

It has been shown to host a dangerous parasite, while also demonstrating the ability to adapt its morphology to a wide range of environmental conditions.

[18] The O. minor, similar to the rest of its order Octopoda, is bilaterally symmetrical along a dorsoventral axis with two eyes and mouth surrounded by eight webbed arms.

[12] It can be identified by its grey colouring which matches the sandy plains in which it is commonly found, however when it finds itself threatened or in danger, it will shift its coloration to a dark red.

[25] It is on the smaller side of its class, compared to colossal squids which can reach lengths of over 10 metres (33 feet).

[27] O. minor's diet coincides with that of other bottom-dwelling octopuses, with over 50% of its prey being fish, 25% by shellfish such as whelks and clams, the remainder being made up of crustaceans such as crabs, along with annelids and nematodes, other commonly found species sharing their habitat with O.

[28] The smaller size of the octopus means rejection of larger species including rock scallops and large fish.

[27] The O. minor injects its prey with a paralyzing saliva, using miniature teeth at the end of its salivary papilla to dismember them.

[28] While 10 different taxa have been identified within the stomach of the O. minor, the family Gobiidae was most prevalent during the female's ovarian maturation.

[31] Movements of the O. minor involve crawling between rocks and crevices, and swimming with its dorsal fin in a leading position.

[35] It is a benthic octopus, meaning it lies at the lowest body of water, around the sediment surface and rock or coral cover.

[35] O. minor is located within the mudflats of sub-tidal zones surrounding the south western coast of the Korean peninsula.

[4] O. minor residing within the mudflats of coastal regions are exposed to high salinity, temperature and water movement conditions.

[35] This is a segment of the Western Pacific Ocean situated between the Korean Peninsula and mainland China, connected to the Gulf of Bohai.

[34] Colour variation of chromatophores include red, brown, black, grey, yellow or blue.

[4] The shallow water habitats which the O. minor inhabits has allowed it to evolve more diverse skin than fellow cephalopods.

[37][38] O. minor is well represented within the Korean commercial fishery field, presenting a high annual yield of over 350,000 tonnes.

[40] The rapid adaption of the octopus to the stressful conditions of its habitat encouraged scientific research and the mapping of its genome.

[41][3] Within most parts of Korea, O. minor or Nakji, is a culinary option, being served most commonly as a snack either raw, cooked or poached.

[42] It is marinated with a local Korean red pepper sauce, then served hot with warm rice, somyeon, or bean sprouts.

[43][44] As the suction cups are still active on the cephalopod's arms, they may grip to one's throat, therefore consumers are at risk of choking.

[43] For this dish, O. minor is boiled in stock, before being chopped into fine pieces then served in the soup with spring onion, chilli and minced garlic.

[7] O. minor's adaption of its behavioral repertoire to assorted habitat conditions made it a promising model to be studied and to have its genome mapped.

Genetic structures of O. minor were analysed using a sequence of the CO1 gene as it shows higher base-substitution mutation rates.