Most octopuses live shorter lives with shorter egg development, etc.
Biologists believe that when a female octopus is ready to mate, she releases a chemical attractant which is distributed by ocean currents. Males are drawn to the female by following the scent along the current. The female may attract more than one male, who sometimes fight for the opportunity to mate. In some cases, the female will mate with more than one male. In the case of the Giant Pacific Octopus we don't how many males the female will accept, but current theory favours just one mate.