What drives seasonal fluctuations of body condition in a semelparous income breeder octopus?

► We analyse body condition in an income breeder octopus. ► Condition shows an annual cycle independently of the sex and the maturity stage. ► Octopus condition does not rely on storage reserves, but on food intakes. ► Reproduction and temperature are precluded as driving factors for the annual cycle. ► Condition might display an intrinsic seasonal cycle or be determined genetically.