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Octopus & Squid

Ancient intelligence....

Octopus & Squid



Squids and Octopus, representatives of the Cephalopods, have been on this planet for about 500 million years. They are well known for their intelligence, and their ability to rapidly change colour and skin texture for camouflage and communication. They occupy a central role in the food chain, being both accomplished hunters and a primary food source. They live fast and many die young sometimes a year or less after hatching.

Their role in the oceans and reefs combined with their importance to humans for food, makes it essential to understand their biology and ensure that any fishery is sustainable.

Bobtail Squid



Bobtail and Pygmy squids are related, sharing the ability to produce a type of carbohydrate-bsed glue from cells in the skin. Bobtails make use of the glue to stick sand to their body when under threat. Pygmy Squid use it to stick themselves to something so they can save energy swimming. These tiny squid only live around 10 weeks.

Bobtail Squid have a special organ housing symbiotic bioluminescent bacteria.

In spite of being called squid, they are more closely related to cuttlefish.

Euprymna berryi
Euprymna berryi
Euprymna berryi
Euprymna berryi
Euprymna berryi - covered in sand
Euprymna berryi - covered in sand
Euprymna scolopes
Idiospepia sp.
Idiospepia sp.
Idiospepia sp.
Sepiadarium kochi?
Sepiadarium?
Sepiadarium?
Sepiadarium?
Sepiadarium?

Cuttlefish



Cuttlefish have tubular bodies that are usually relatively wide. They are characterised by having a rigid aragonite compartmentalised "bone" that they use to regulate their bouyancy. Their eyes are unique in being shaped like a "W". They have eight arms, two of which are long and retracted, but can be rapidly shot out to capture prey.

Cuttlefish, particularly the smaller species are frequently seen on reefs.

One species, the Flambouyant Cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi) is almost entirely benthic. Its body contains the same lethal toxin as in the bite of Blue-Ringed Octopus. Walking slowly along the bottom, it often pulses its warning purple & yellow colouration while in search of shrimps, crabs and fish. If ian individual chances on an area with commensal gobies, it can clear out all the shrimps and gobies in a short space of time. As they become older, they seem to become more sedantary hiding half-buried in sediment, adopting a camouflage colour and surface structure. The hunting strategy is then as an ambush predator. (pers.obs.)

Metasepia pfefferi - mature adult
Metasepia pfefferi - camouflaged mature adult
Metasepia pfefferi - eggs
Metasepia pfefferi - developing embryos
Metasepia pfefferi - newly hatched
Metasepia pfefferi - warning colouration
Metasepia pfefferi
Metasepia pfefferi
Metasepia pfefferi - walking on sand
Metasepia pfefferi
Sepia esculenta
Sepia cf esculenta
Sepia latimanus
Sepia sp.
Sepia sp. - warning  posture
Sepia sp.
Sepia sp. - in flight
Sepia sp
Sepia sp.
Sepia sp.
Sepia sp.
Sepia sp.
Sepia sp.

Squid



Like cuttlefish, squid have eight arms, two of which are long and retracted, being used for hunting. Their "skeleton" comprises a rod-like pen made of chitin. Unlike cuttlefish, the are negatively bouyant and have tp They are not typical reef-dwellers.

Sepioteuthis lessoniana is seen close to reefs in sea-grass beds even during the day, where they can often be observed laying their white, sausage-shaped egg-masses.

Other species are seen mostly at night where the hunt above the reefs. A range of their extraordinary postures are shown in the images.

Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Ommastrephid squid
Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Sepioteuthis lessoniana
Sepioteuthis lessoniana
Sepioteuthis lessoniana
Sepioteuthis lessoniana - male challeng colouration
-Sepioteuthis lessoniana - egg masses

Day-active Octopus



Octopus have 4 pairs of arms, of which one pair is often used for "walking". Reef octopus are all bottom dwelling, relying on camouflage and hiding in tight crevices for protection. They only swim when under extreme duress. Some species have developed the ability to hold shells around their soft bodies as protection. The Coconut Octopus is the most well know of these.

Some species, e.g. Octopus cynaeus hunt actively on the reef during the day. Mimic Octopus and the Wonderpus hide just below the surface of the sand/sediment, suggesting that they may be camouflage preditors as well as active hunters. The Wonderpus is seen more often late afternoons. Much is written about these two species. One photograph shows a true defensive posture and colouring in the Wonderpus as a a ribbon eel swims over the Wonderpus.

Octopus cyaneus
Amphioctopus marginatus
Amphioctopus marginatus - warning colouration
Amphioctopus marginatus
Amphioctopus marginatus
Amphioctopus marginatus
Amphioctopus marginatus
Amphioctopus marginatus
Amphioctopus marginatus
Octopus cyaneus - disturbed whiile hunting
ctopus cf. cyaneus - disturbed hunting
Octopus cf. cyaneus - same octopus 2 minutes 17 seconds later - perfectly camouflaged
Octopus cf. cyaneus - well camouflaged
Octopus cyaneus - warning colourations
Thaumoctopus mimicus
Stacks Image 2599
Thaumoctopus mimicus
Stacks Image 2601
Stacks Image 2602
Thaumoctopus mimicus
Thaumoctopus mimicus
Thaumoctopus mimicus
Wonderpus photogenicus in a defense posture
large-cephs-octopus-daytime-24-Wonderpus-photogenicus.jpg
25-Wonderpus photogenicus - diametic display
Wonderpus photogenicus
Wonderpus photogenicus
Wonderpus photogenicus

Night-active Octopus



Night is a time to see many octopus hunting over the reefs, across seagrass beds, sand and sediment. With luck, octopus paralarvae can be seen just after settling down from the plankton.

Abdopus sp.
Abdopus sp.
Abdopus sp.
Abdopus sp.
Abdopus sp.
Callistoctopus luteus
Callistoctopus luteus
Callistoctopus luteus
Callistoctopus cf. kaurna
Callistoctopus ornatus
Octopus sp.
Octopus sp.  getting a clam into position
Octopus sp.  opening the clam by suction
Octopus sp. - paralarva
Octopus sp.
Octopus sp.
Octopus sp.
Octopus cf. wolfi

Octopus with hairs



One Abdopus species, the Algae Octopus and an undescribed Octopus sp. which is very "hairy" are the two octopus have hair-like skin flaps. Both seem to be active in the afternoon. Neither are seen often, but their camouflage is very good. As can be seen from the images of the Hairy Octopus, sand is trapped between the hairs adding the effectiveness of the camouflage. The photographed individual was seen gently "bouncing" across a sandy area. The bounce was achieved by the octopus swimming just over the sand surface with one leg hanging down below and pushing it up from the sand every few centimeters.

Abdopus aculeatus
Abdopus aculeatus
Abdopus aculeatus
Abdopus aculeatus
Octopus sp. - Hairy Octopus
Octopus sp. - Hairy Octopus
Octopus sp. - Hairy Octopus

Octopus - Poisonous



The four species of Blue-Ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena) and the Mototi Octopus (Amphioctopus mototi) produce a tetrodotoxin that is absorbed through the skin even if the skin is not punctured. There is no known antidote.

Amphioctopus siamensis
Amphioctopus siamensis
Amphioctopus siamensis
Amphioctopus siamensis
Hapalochlaena lunulata - slightly annoyed!
Hapalochlaena lunulata - very annoyed
Hapalochlaena lunulata
Hapalochlaena lunulata
Hapalochlaena lunulata
Hapalochlaena lunulata
Hapalochlaena lunulata

Help Save Reefs!



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If you are a diver, and especially if you are an underwater photographer, donate. If you do nothing, there will be nothing to dive on and nothing to photograph.

These are suggestions, but not endorsements of the suggested organisations. It is your responsibility to review and check the charities you wish to donate to.

Bobtail Squid

Bobtail Squid

Bobtail and Pygmy squids are related, sharing the ability to produce a type of carbohydrate-bsed glue from cells in the skin. Bobtails make use of the glue to stick sand to their body when under threat. Pygmy Squid use it to stick themselves to something so they can save energy swimming. These tiny squid only live around 10 weeks.

Bobtail Squid have a special organ housing symbiotic bioluminescent bacteria.

In spite of being called squid, they are more closely related to cuttlefish.

Euprymna berryi
Euprymna berryi
Euprymna berryi
Euprymna berryi
Euprymna berryi - covered in sand
-Euprymna berryi - covered in sand
Euprymna scolopes
Idiospepia sp.
Idiospepia sp.
Idiospepia sp.
Sepiadarium kochi?
Sepiadarium?
Sepiadarium?
Sepiadarium?
Sepiadarium?

Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish have tubular bodies that are usually relatively wide. They are characterised by having a rigid aragonite compartmentalised "bone" that they use to regulate their bouyancy. Their eyes are unique in being shaped like a "W". They have eight arms, two of which are long and retracted, but can be rapidly shot out to capture prey.

Cuttlefish, particularly the smaller species are frequently see on reefs.

One species, the Flambouyant Cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi) is almost entirely benthic. Its body contains the same lethal toxin as in the bite of Blue-Ringed Octopus. Walking slowly along the bottom, it often pulses its warning purple & yellow colouration while in search of shrimps, crabs and fish. If ian individual chances on an area with commensal gobies, it can clear out all the shrimps and gobies in a short space of time. As they become older, they seem to become more sedantary hiding half-buried in sediment, adopting a camouflage colour and surface structure. The hunting strategy is then as an ambush predator. (pers.obs.)

Metasepia pfefferi - mature adult
Metasepia pfefferi - camouflaged mature adult
Metasepia pfefferi - developing embryos
Metasepia pfefferi - newly hatched
Metasepia pfefferi - warning colouration
Metasepia pfefferi - walking on sand
Sepia esculenta
Sepia cf esculenta
Sepia latimanus
Sepia sp.
Sepia sp. - warning  posture
Sepia sp.
Sepia sp. - in flight
Sepia sp.
Sepia sp.
Sepia sp.
Sepia sp.

Squid

Squid

Like cuttlefish, squid have eight arms, two of which are long and retracted, being used for hunting. Their "skeleton" comprises a rod-like pen made of chitin. Unlike cuttlefish, the are negatively bouyant and have tp They are not typical reef-dwellers.

Sepioteuthis lessoniana is seen close to reefs in sea-grass beds even during the day, where they can often be observed laying their white, sausage-shaped egg-masses.

Other species are seen mostly at night where the hunt above the reefs. A range of their extraordinary postures are shown in the images.

Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Ommastrephid squid
Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Sepioteuthis cf. australis
Sepioteuthis lessoniana
Sepioteuthis lessoniana
Sepioteuthis lessoniana
Sepioteuthis lessoniana - male challeng colouration
Sepioteuthis lessoniana - egg masses

Day-active Octopus

Day-active Octopus

Octopus have 4 pairs of arms, of which one pair is often used for "walking". Reef octopus are all bottom dwelling, relying on camouflage and hiding in tight crevices for protection. They only swim when under extreme duress. Some species have developed the ability to hold shells around their soft bodies as protection. The Coconut Octopus is the most well know of these.

Some species, e.g. Octopus cynaeus hunt actively on the reef during the day. Mimic Octopus and the Wonderpus hide just below the surface of the sand/sediment, suggesting that they may be camouflage preditors as well as active hunters. The Wonderpus is seen more often late afternoons. Much is written about these two species. One photograph shows a true defensive posture and colouring in the Wonderpus as a a ribbon eel swims over the Wonderpus.

Octopus cyaneus
Amphioctopus marginatus
Amphioctopus marginatus - warning colouration
Amphioctopus marginatus
Amphioctopus marginatus
Octopus cyaneus - disturbed whiile hunting
Octopus cf. cyaneus - disturbed hunting
Octopus cf. cyaneus - same octopus 2 minutes 17 seconds later - perfectly camouflaged
Thaumoctopus mimicus
Thaumoctopus mimicus
Thaumoctopus mimicus
Thaumoctopus mimicus
Wonderpus photogenicus in a defense posture
Wonderpus photogenicus
Wonderpus photogenicus
Wonderpus photogenicus
Wonderpus photogenicus

Night-active Octopus

Night-active Octopus

Night is a time to see many octopus hunting over the reefs, across seagrass beds, sand and sediment. With luck, octopus paralarvae can be seen just after settling down from the plankton.

Abdopus sp.
Abdopus sp.
Abdopus sp.
Callistoctopus luteus
Callistoctopus luteus
Callistoctopus cf. kaurna
Callistoctopus ornatus
Octopus sp.
Octopus sp.  getting a clam into position
Octopus sp.  opening the clam by suction
Octopus sp. - paralarva
Octopus sp.
Octopus sp.
Octopus cf. wolfi

Octopus with hairs

Octopus with hairs

One Abdopus species, the Algae Octopus and an undescribed Octopus sp. which is very "hairy" are the two octopus have hair-like skin flaps. Both seem to be active in the afternoon. Neither are seen often, but their camouflage is very good. As can be seen from the images of the Hairy Octopus, sand is trapped between the hairs adding the effectiveness of the camouflage. The photographed individual was seen gently "bouncing" across a sandy area. The bounce was achieved by the octopus swimming just over the sand surface with one leg hanging down below and pushing it up from the sand every few centimeters.

Abdopus aculeatus
Abdopus aculeatus
Abdopus aculeatus
Abdopus cf. aculeatus
Octopus sp. - Hairy Octopus
Octopus sp. - Hairy Octopus
Octopus sp. - Hairy Octopus

Octopus - Poisonous

Octopus - Poisonous

The four species of Blue-Ringed Octopus (Hapalochlaena) and the Mototi Octopus (Amphioctopus mototi) produce a tetrodotoxin that is absorbed through the skin even if the skin is not punctured. There is no known antidote.

Amphioctopus siamensis
Amphioctopus siamensis
Amphioctopus siamensis
Amphioctopus siamensis
Hapalochlaena lunulata - slightly annoyed!
Hapalochlaena lunulata - very annoyed
Hapalochlaena lunulata
Hapalochlaena lunulata
Hapalochlaena lunulata thinking of excape
Hapalochlaena lunulata ready to leave
Hapalochlaena lunulata swimming