 When it does this, its camouflage breaks down.Humann and DeLoach (2002) reported that "Macrotritopus defilippi" sometimes swam backwards in a normal octopus-style but that on other occasions, it moved forwards in a flattened position with its arms streaming beside it, making it superficially resemble a flatfish.The octopus swims close to the contours of the sand surface, even hugging ripples in the sand, so that no shadows are formed.