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Argonauta hians
This Male Paper Nautilus - Argonauta hians is very small in size around 6-8 mm. It was hitching a ride on something else when I first saw it, this is a typical of their behaviour. They have also been seen to hitch rides on Jellyfish and other floating animals in blue water. Male Paper Nautilus do not have shell unlike the female. Females are usually march larger in size. An interesting fact about Argonauts - The males only mate once in their short lifetime, whereas the females are iteroparous, capable of having offspring many times over the course of their lives.
Spotted on Jan 2, 2019
Submitted on Jan 4, 2019
8 Comments
Belated congrats Albert, it really is a stunning spotting.
Thanks, @Daniele for the SOTD :)
Thanks too, @Antonio, @Neil and @Michael for your kind words and support :)
Congrats on SOTD! Very keen eye you have to see these little guys!!
Well done, Albert. This is a great spotting. Congratulations on your SOTD.
Fantastic creature,congrats on the well deserved SOTD Albert and thanks for sharing
Congratulations Albert, your Paper Nautilus is our Spotting of the Day:
"This eery, tiny (about 7mm) large-eyed organism is a male Paper Nautilus (Argonauta hians), our Spotting of the Day! Argonauts (genus Argonauta) are a special group of small pelagic octopuses. They are also known as paper nautiluses due to the paper-thin case that only females secrete. Like most octopuses, argonauts have a rounded body, eight arms and no fins. They are often found clinging to other argonauts or to jellyfish".
For more information about argonauts: https://buff.ly/2R9kNor
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Thanks, @triggsturner for the kind words and support :)
Fascinating Albert. Thanks for sharing.