Blue-Ringed Octopus Facts

The Blue-Ringed Octopus, affectionately called the BRO, are a highly sought after underwater photography subject, topping the holy grail critter list 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.

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.

They possess eight arms with dual rows of suction cups, a large head and two big eyes.

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Blue-ringed octopus. Captured during a Raja Ampat diving trip. Photo: Kevin Lee.

Blue-Ringed Octopus Toxins

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, 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.

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). 

The blue-ringed octopus also has a second toxin which is harmless to humans. This toxin is used to hunt crabs.

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.

Blue-ringed octopus. Captured while diving Anilao, Philppines. Photo: Mike Bartick.

Blue Ring Octopus Diet

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.

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’t need to bite their prey at all, casting the venom near their prey may be all that is needed to kill.

Blue Ringed Octopus Range & Habitat

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

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 in the Indo-Pacific that I have yet to find! - Scott

Blue-Ringed Octopus Dive Sites

• Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
• Raja Ampat, Indonesia
• Anilao, Philippines
• Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea
• Bali, Indonesia
• Mabul, Malaysia
• Puerto Galera, Philippines
• All over south-east Australia, near Sydney and especially Melbourne

Occasionally they have even been found in brackish rivers or tide pools feeding on Bivalves.

Blue-ringed octopus Hapalochlaena maculosa from Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Brendan Shepherd.

Blue-ring octopus from Anilao, Philippines. Photo by Scott Gietler

Blue Ringed Octopus Lifecycle

Both the male and female die during the reproductive process. The male dies immediately after the couple mates. The female of the species will lay approximately 50-100 eggs then guard them with her life, literally.  Not eating through the entire gestation period lasting from 1 to 2 months, then dying from lack of strength.

The juveniles are approximately the size of a pea and will hide under sandy ledges or use burrows for protection. The octopus will grow quickly to an average adult size (golf ball) within a few months, with an average lifespan of almost 2 years.

View our photo essay from an encounter with Mating Blue-Ringed Octopus.

Blue-ringed Octopus seen while diving Lembeh, photo by Ene Anuar with a Canon G10

Underwater Photography Tips for the Blue Ringed Octopus

The blue ring octopus is relatively cryptic against its background. Often time your movements will spook them out from its layer. The blue ringed octopus will ambulate using its built-in Hydrojet, then stop and maybe curls its tentacle as if it were a boxer. Then lay flat and creep, curling a tentacle or two over his head. Then dart back towards you and begin it all again, All the while whimsically flashing its unique namesake pattern of colored rings.

• Relax and don’t rush your subject
• Don’t poke or prod
• Flashing is a warning sign-they are deadly, let them tell you so
• Inking is a stress sign-leave them alone
• When spotted set your camera and strobes for the shot before approaching
• Try to use something behind your subject for contrast
• Two photographers can usually work a single subject

Blue Rings seem to be very playful, curious and photogenic, striking poses and flashing colors allowing a close proximity to capture stunning detailed photographs.

Swimming blue-ringed octopus Hapalochlaena maculosa, photo by Brendan Shepherd.

Last Reflections

These rather beautiful little gems are not recommended for aquarists as they are deadly. The blue ring produces two of the deadliest neurotoxins known to man. Either of which will render a fully-grown human being useless in approximately 10 minutes. An average sized BRO has enough toxins to kill 26 adults at once. The effects can be outlived however if the victim can be artificially resuscitated for 24 hours with no residual effects.

More Blue-Ringed Octopus Photos

A blue-ringed octopus displays vibrant colors as it darts to a new perch on the reef. Photographed in South Australia. Photo: Mike Bartick

Blue ring octopus in a hunting pose, using tentacles to search for prey in the halimeda. Photo: Mike Bartick

A blue-ring octopus posturing in mid-water. Photo: Mike Bartick

Mating blue-ringed octopus in Anilao, Philippines. Photo: Mike Bartick

A matote blue-ring octopus displays a classic posture in the sand. Photo: Mike Bartick

A tiny blue-ringed octopus pauses while hunting on a reef in Anilao, Philippines. Shot with the Canon 7D Mark II. Photo: Brent Durand

A blue-ringed octopus crawls across a reef in Manado, Indonesia. Shot with the Canon 5D Mk III. Photo: Brent Durand

Close up shot of a blue ring octopus using shallow depth of field. Photo: Brent Durand

Two mating blue-ringed octopus move across the reef before disappearing into a hole in Anilao, Philippines. See all the mating blue ring octopus photos.  Photo: Brent Durand. 

Best Cameras for Underwater Photos of Blue-Rings

• Compact Camera Guide

• Mirrorless Camera Guide

• DSLR Camera Guide

• GoPro HERO 4

Further Reading

Mimic Octopus Facts and Behavior

Photographing the Wonderpus Octopus

Best Muck Diving Locations

Frogfish facts and underwater photography tips

Leafy sea dragon facts and underwater photography tips

Underwater macro critter list

Photographing Marine Life Behavior

Blue ringed octopus resources:

Giant Pacific Octoups Steals Diver's Camera!

Giant Pacific Octopus Life & Death Video

www.Octopus.com

www.Barrierreefaustralia.com

Cephalod page - blue ring octopus toxins

How the toxin Tetrodotoxin works