Common Name
Blue lined octopus
Scientific Name
Hapalochlaena fasciata
Distribution
Southern New South Wales to southern Queensland.
Habitat
Intertidal rock pools, shallow soft sediments and rocky reef habitats.
Appearance
Typically brown in colouration, although individuals can change colouration to camouflage into the environment. When disturbed, individuals display vibrant blue lines on their head and blue rings on their tentacles as a warning signal.
Size
Maximum mantle length is 4.5cm and maximum armspan is 15cm.
Diet
Crabs and other crustaceans
Life cycle
Adults typically mate during Autumn, after which the female lays between 50 – 100 eggs. The female then protects the eggs, which hatch after approximately 50 days. The female Blue Lined Octopus then dies and the juveniles float around as plankton. They mature within a year and mate in the following Autumn,
Interesting facts
- Blue Lined Octopus are typically reluctant to use their venom when they are hunting and rather rely on stealth to catch their prey.
- The venom of the Blue Lined Octopus is highly toxic to humans. Because of their small beak size, the bite may go unnoticed. Symptoms of a bite include numbness of the lips and tongue, difficulty breathing, paralysis of the breathing muscles and apparent loss of consciousness. In the event of a bite from a Blue Lined Octopus, immediately call for help, monitor airways and breathing and perform CPR if necessary.
- Male Blue Lined Octopus appear to be unable to recognise the difference between males and females. When it comes to mating time, males grab their partner and insert their reproductive arm inside of their partners’ mantle – only then discovering whether their partner is a male and female.