An octopus today managed to pry loose a water-control valve at the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, flooding the facility with more than 200 gallons of saltwater.

The valve is inside the sea creature's tank, and officials think the octopus grabbed hold of it while exploring.

"It found something loose and just pulled on it," said Tara Treiber, the aquarium's education manager. "They are very smart creatures."

A worker arriving this morning found water overflowing out of the tank and "a lovely little lake" on the floor — about 3 inches of water that damaged newly installed carpets, as well as walls and facades, Treiber said.

The damage could have been much worse had workers discovered the open valve later — potentially harming the sea life inside, Treiber said.