Seven species of cephalopods of the genus Octopus from Northeastern Venezuela were collected during the period between June 1981 and September 1982. The systematics, ecology, geographic distribution and fisheries of the genus were studied, and the taxonomy of Octopus vulgaris CUVIER, 1797; Octopus defilippi VERANY, 1851; Octopus joubini ROBSON, 1929; Octopus briareus ROBSON, 1929; Octopus bummelincki ADAM, 1936; Octopus burryi VOSS, 1950 and Octopus zonatus VOSS, 1968 was discussed. Octopus hummelincki represents a new report for Venezuela.