Are 9 legs better than 8? Surprised Fla. chef notices steamed octopus has an extra limb

Fla. chef has 9 reasons his octopus tastes better

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — Nineopus. Novopus. Freak of nature. Whatever you want to call it, the nine-legged octopus probably had a leg up on all the other creatures in the Gulf of Mexico — until it was caught and found its way to Hellas Bakery and Restaurant in Florida.

Head Chef Emmanuel Psomas says he was steaming the octopus Thursday when he discovered that it seemed, well, leggier than normal. Psomas says he’s cooked octopus for 40 years — it’s a Greek delicacy — and has never seen one with an extra leg.

He says he counted the legs three times in disbelief.

“I’m like, this can’t be,” Psomas said. “I’ve seen a lot of octopus.”

He’s keeping the octopus in his refrigerator for now, but he plans to enjoy it soon with a bit of vinegar, lemon juice, olive oil and herbs.

While unusual, marine experts say the extra leg on the octopus is likely due to genetic mutation.