Blue-ringed octopus
Hapalochlaena lunulata
Sighting evidence at Blue Ring Flats
Photo: uwkwaj · CC BY-NC
The greater blue-ringed octopus is among the most venomous animals on earth — its saliva contains tetrodotoxin produced by symbiotic bacteria, and a single animal carries enough toxin to kill 26 adult humans. When threatened, iridescent blue rings that are otherwise invisible flash rapidly across the skin as a warning signal. Despite their lethality they are not aggressive and the small size — under 20 cm including arms — makes them among the most sought after macro encounters in muck diving. Ambon Bay supports a reliably findable population hunting in daylight.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Blue-ringed octopus is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.