Hapalochlaena fasciata
| Scientific name | Hapalochlaena fasciata |
|---|---|
| Descriptor | Hoyle |
| Year of description | 1886 |
| IUCN category | LC |
| Family | Octopodidae |
| Genus | Hapalochlaena |
Introduction
Hapalochlaena fasciata is a salt water mollusc from the Great Barrier Reef.
Who is it?
Genus Hapalochlaena
Species of the Hapalochlaena genus are commonly called "blue ringed octopus". They are found in the Indo-Pacific region, especially from Australia to Japan. These octopuses are very poisonous. Their venom, contained in the saliva, has a strong paralyzing effect. The octopuses use it to immobilize their favorite prey : crustaceans.
All Hapalochlaena species have eight short arms and a slightly flattened head that ends in a point. Their colour vary depending on the environment and context. They are indeed able to change colour to escape predators or hunt. Their life expectancy is short and like most cephalopods, females die at the end of the reproductive cycle.
Morphology
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Size4.5 - 6 cm
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Coloursvivid
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Mimicrymultiple
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Type of mouthbeak
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ChromatophoresYes
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Size4.5 - 6 cm
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Coloursvivid
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Mimicrymultiple
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Type of mouthbeak
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ChromatophoresYes
How to recognize Hapalochlaena fasciata ?
Hapalochlaena fasciata measures between 4.5 and 6 cm. This mollusc is unicolore with a predominantly or body.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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Sociabilitysolitary
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Way of livingnocturnal
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VenomousYes
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Dietpredator
Chromatophores are pigment cells that reflect light in the integument of some animals. They are mostly responsible for the color of the skin and eyes of cold-blooded animals and are created by the neural crest during embryonic development.
Hapalochlaena fasciata is a mollusc solitary naturally found on the bottom. This species is carnivorous . This mollusc lives mainly at night. Usually, it leaves its hiding place and starts to be active once it gets dark.
Although Hapalochlaena fasciata is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.
Reproduction
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Reproductiondont le mode de reproduction est encore inconnu
Hapalochlaena fasciata is a mollusc dont le mode de reproduction est encore inconnu.
Life-threatening species
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VenomousYes
This species is venomous and can cause serious injuries when touched. In the most serious cases, it can cause death.
Where to find it?
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature25 - 30 °C
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Depth0 - 15 m
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EnvironmentFree benthic
Biotope presentation
Hapalochlaena fasciata is most often found at a depth between 0m and 15m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.
Species of the same biotope
Hapalochlaena maculosa
Octopodidae
To go further
Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
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Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
Bibliographic references
Genome‐wide comparisons reveal a clinal species pattern within a holobenthic octopod—the Australian Southern blue‐ringed octopus, Hapalochlaena maculosa (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae) - - 2018.
The reproductive biology of two species of pygmy octopuses hapalochlaena lunulata and octopus bocki - - 1998.
First reliable record of the blue-lined octopus, Hapalochlaena fasciata (Hoyle, 1886) (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae), from Jeju Island, Korea - Hye Seon Kim - Hyuck Joon Kwun - Hanna Bae - Jinsoon Park - Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity - 2018. Volume 11, Issue 1, Pages 21-24, ISSN 2287-884X
Species of the same family
Species of the same biotope
Hapalochlaena maculosa
Octopodidae
Scientific partners
