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Mototi Blue Ring Octopus

Octopus mototi

Description:

This octopus has one blue ring on either side of its head, which it displays to warn off potential predators. It can also change its color, as you can see in the 4th picture. It's said that this type of octopus is very rare.

Habitat:

Sandy and rubble areas of coral reefs, at depths of 1 to 40m.

Notes:

Spotted this octopus at a depth of about 40 feet, during a day dive. It was about twice as big as my hand if it had its tentacles stretched out.

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11 Comments

Blogie
Blogie 12 years ago

No, patty. The octopus was actually pretty tiny. But if it had its tentacles spread out in all directions then it would probably reach twice the size of my hand. This starfish was about 50% larger than my hand. :)

patty
patty 12 years ago

What a magnificent octupus! Amazing! So, the octopus was about twice as big as your hand, that is to say: the starfish was enormous! =)

CourtneyVerk
CourtneyVerk 12 years ago

What an awesome spotting! Thank you for sharing.

Nicholas4
Nicholas4 12 years ago

Yea, We already know that the octopus in general, are a lot smarter than dogs and some scientists are wondering just how complex their intellect really is!! So, I guess this one is no exception..

Blogie
Blogie 12 years ago

Thanks, Nicholas! Hmmm... No, I don't think the octopus and the sea star have any real symbiotic relationship. Perhaps the octopus was just trying to use the starfish as a shield against us pesky divers. :D

Nicholas4
Nicholas4 12 years ago

Symbiotic relation with the sea-star, or just a passer-by I wonder??
Very nice series.

Blogie
Blogie 12 years ago

Thanks, Palaimon! Currently I'm using a Nikon Coolpix P7000 in a Fantasea FP7000 housing. Sometimes I get to use an external strobe, a Sea&Sea YS01, which I borrow from a friend.

Palaimon
Palaimon 12 years ago

Amazing picture! Really nice colors.
What kind of equipment do you use?

Blogie
Blogie 12 years ago

Thanks guys!

@argybee - Haha yeah! I've seen other critters that're friends with this type of starfish (chocolate chip sea star, I believe): frogfish, brittle stars, gobies, and more! :D

Mark Ridgway
Mark Ridgway 12 years ago

Friends.

Maria dB
Maria dB 12 years ago

Great photos and beautiful octopus; also like starfish

Blogie
Spotted by
Blogie

Davao Del Norte, Philippines

Spotted on Jan 7, 2012
Submitted on Jan 10, 2012

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