LONG BEACH, Calif. — Ghost, a giant Pacific octopus at the Aquarium of the Pacific, is spending her final days in an act of quiet devotion: caring for her eggs, even though they will never hatch. The beloved octopus has captured the hearts of staff, visitors, and fans online as she enters the last stage of her life cycle.

The aquarium announced the bittersweet update this week, sparking an outpouring of affection from the public. Many shared memories of visiting Ghost in Long Beach, posting photos, tattoos, and even sweaters emblazoned with her image. “She is a wonderful octopus and has made an eight-armed impression on all of our hearts,” the aquarium wrote in a tribute on Instagram.

A Natural Cycle of Life

Ghost entered senescence earlier this week, a final stage of life that follows reproduction. During this period, giant Pacific octopuses stop eating and gradually decline, devoting their remaining energy to protecting and aerating their eggs. In the wild, this instinct ensures the next generation’s survival. But in Ghost’s case, her eggs are unfertilized and will not produce young.

“You really can’t combine males and females for any period of time because they don’t naturally cohabitate,” explained Nate Jaros, the aquarium’s vice president of animal care. “They’re at high risk of aggression or even potentially death.”

From British Columbia to Long Beach

Ghost was collected from the waters of British Columbia, Canada, and arrived at the aquarium in May 2024 weighing just 3 pounds (1.4 kilograms). Over the past year, she grew into a vibrant, 50-pound (22.7 kilogram) ambassador for her species. Giant Pacific octopuses typically live three to five years; Ghost is estimated to be between two and four.

Jaros described Ghost as a “super active and very physical octopus” with a unique bond to her human caregivers. She was trained to voluntarily crawl into a basket for weighing, and she sometimes pushed away food just to interact with staff a little longer.

A Creature of Intelligence and Charisma

Octopuses are known for their intelligence, problem-solving skills, and personalities, and Ghost was no exception. Caregivers kept her mentally stimulated by hiding food in toys and puzzles, mimicking how she would hunt crabs and clams in the wild.

One enrichment project involved building a large acrylic maze that took hours to assemble — but Ghost solved it “almost instantly,” Jaros recalled.

“Octopus in particular are incredibly special because of how charismatic and intelligent they seem to be, and we really form tight bonds with these animals,” he said.

Inspiring the Next Generation

While Ghost now spends her final days in a private tank under close care, the aquarium has already welcomed a new octopus — a 2-pound (900 gram) youngster described as “super curious” and “outgoing.” Staff plan to name it after observing its behavior and personality.

For many visitors, Ghost’s story is deeply personal. Jay McMahon, a marine biology student from Los Angeles, said he was grateful to have seen her recently. His passion for the ocean began when his parents took him to the aquarium at age 4.

“When you make a connection with an animal like that and you know they don’t live for that long, every moment means a lot,” McMahon said. “I just hope she encourages people to learn more about the octopus and how important they are.”

As Ghost lives out her final days, her quiet devotion continues to teach lessons about life, love, and the extraordinary intelligence of one of the ocean’s most remarkable creatures.