Hapalochlaena lunulata

Blue-ringed Octopus

5–12 cm
1–2 vuotta
Elinvoimainen
Tietoa

Blue-ringed Octopus

The blue-ringed octopus is one of the most venomous marine animals on the planet, despite being small enough to sit in the palm of your hand. When threatened, its namesake iridescent blue rings flash vividly as a warning to predators. Found across the Indo-Pacific in tide pools, coral rubble, and shallow reef flats, these tiny cephalopods carry enough tetrodotoxin to kill 26 adult humans — yet they are shy, reclusive, and pose virtually no threat to careful divers.

Koko

5–12 cm (kehon pituus)

Paino

10–100 g

Elinikä

1–2 vuotta

Suojelutila

Elinvoimainen

Missä niitä löytää

Parhaat sukelluskohteet

Lembeh Strait, IndonesiaAnilao, FilippiinitGreat Barrier Reef, AustraliaOkinawa, JapaniBali, Indonesia

Sukellusvinkit

Blue-ringed octopuses are tiny and extremely well camouflaged. Look in empty shells, coral rubble, and discarded bottles on muck-diving sites. Never touch or pick up any small octopus in the Indo-Pacific. A knowledgeable dive guide is essential for spotting them.

Paras kausi

Year-round, best on night dives and muck dives

Elinympäristö

Shallow coral reefs, tide pools, rubble zones, and sandy substrates across the Indo-Pacific, from Australia to Japan

Ravinto

Small crabs, shrimp, and hermit crabs — immobilized with venomous saliva
Tiesitkö?

Hauskoja faktoja

1

Their venom contains tetrodotoxin — the same toxin found in pufferfish — and there is no antivenom

2

The blue rings are produced by specialized cells called iridophores, not chromatophores

3

Females die shortly after their eggs hatch, having not eaten during the entire brooding period

4

Despite their deadly venom, no confirmed fatalities have occurred from the greater blue-ringed species in decades

Aloita seikkailusi

Valmis sukeltamaan tämän eläimen kanssa?

Tutustu liveaboard-retkiimme parhaisiin sukelluskohteisiin