{"id":17990,"date":"2010-04-08T22:45:10","date_gmt":"2010-04-08T22:45:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwphoto.onpressidium.com\/book\/blue-ringed-octopus\/"},"modified":"2025-08-15T06:57:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-15T06:57:25","slug":"blue-ringed-octopus","status":"publish","type":"book","link":"https:\/\/www.uwphotographyguide.com\/book\/underwater-photography-guide\/marine-life\/blue-ringed-octopus\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Ringed Octopus"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Blue-Ringed Octopus, affectionately called the BRO, are a highly sought after underwater photography subject, topping the holy grail critter list<\/a> for many underwater photographers and naturalists. There are approximately 5-10 different types of species found. They were originally discovered inhabiting the western coast of Australia, and they are the only lethal octopus known to man.<\/p>\n

The Lesser Blue ringed octopus, Hapalochlaena maculosa (found only in Australia), and Greater Blue Ringed Octopus, Hapalochleana lunulata, are the most common. The species are divided and named not by the size of the animal but by the amount of rings.<\/p>\n

They possess eight arms with dual rows of suction cups, a large head and two big eyes.<\/p>\n

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Blue-Ringed Octopus Toxins<\/a>     |     Diet<\/a>     |     Range & Habitat<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
Best Dive Sites<\/a>     |     Lifecycle<\/a>     |     Underwater Photography Tips<\/a> <\/span><\/div>\n
Last Reflections<\/a>     |     Blue-Ringed Octopus Photos<\/a>     |     Best Cameras for Blue-Rings<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n

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Blue-ringed octopus. Captured during a Raja Ampat diving<\/a> trip. Photo: Kevin Lee.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Blue-Ringed Octopus Toxins<\/a><\/h2>\n

The blue ringed octopus is a small mollusk organism that could fit into the palm of your hand. Killed by way of fear or harvested for one or both of its powerful muscular- neurotoxins, this deceptive little critter produces a potent toxin known as Tetrodotoxin<\/strong>, which is uses in self-defence. Tetrodotoxin is also found in pufferfish and cone snails. This toxin is actually produced by bacteria that live in the salivary glands of the octopus.<\/p>\n

According to the Cephalopodpage.org, 1 milligram can kill a person, and there is no known antidote. Treatment is immediate CPR for 24 hours. See the resource section below for links to more detailed information on how this toxin works, and where else it is found (newts, frogs, flatworms, sea stars, and more). <\/p>\n

The blue-ringed octopus also has a second toxin which is harmless to humans. This toxin is used to hunt crabs.<\/p>\n

Blue ringed octopuses are a deep brown to gold until antagonized then flashing the trademark of the bright iridescent blue rings as a warning or aposematic response to perceived danger. The Motote Blue Ring will flash its colors as a pale white and brown striped warning sign with only two visible blue spots on either side of the head.<\/p>\n

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Blue-ringed octopus. Captured while diving Anilao, Philppines<\/a>. Photo: Mike Bartick.<\/p>\n

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Blue Ring Octopus Diet<\/a><\/h2>\n

Blue Rings feed throughout the day and are occasionally seen at night feeding nocturnally. The primary diet consists of small crustaceans such as shrimp, crabs, and small injured fish.<\/p>\n

Biting with their beak and releasing their neurotoxin via saliva, the blue-ringed octopus will wait until the victim is rendered useless before consuming. One type of toxin is used to kill the prey and the other is used as a defense. It is even speculated that they don\u2019t need to bite their prey at all, casting the venom near their prey may be all that is needed to kill.<\/p>\n

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Blue Ringed Octopus Range & Habitat<\/a><\/h2>\n

Their range is now recorded all over Australia, New Guinea, Indonesia<\/a>, Philippines, Malaysia and Japan. More specifically, they are found in rubble or reef, cracks, small stones, on top of reefs and sandy bottoms \u2013 often very shallow. They are quite difficult to find. Some of the best muck diving spots<\/a> in the world include blue ringed octopus sightings as part of the usual lineup.<\/p>\n

Note from the editor – to give you an idea of how difficult it is to find a blue-ring, after several trips to Asia \/ Australia it is the only major underwater macro species<\/a> in the Indo-Pacific that I have yet to find! – Scott<\/p>\n

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Blue-Ringed Octopus Dive Sites<\/a><\/h2>\n