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What kind of cephalopod?

Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 6:38 pm
by cephalogoddess
Saw this adorable baby cephalopod today. I believe it is a market squid hatchling but I'm not sure. I saw it in only about 3 feet of water swimming around with the plankton. They are less than a centimeter long! It was attracted to my light which made photographing the little fella a bit easier. It was on my dive at Rosario Beach, Wa today. First time there and I saw a wolf eel, nudibranchs, and this marvelous friend.

Re: What kind of cephalopod?

Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 7:43 pm
by Jan K
Hi Taryn,
I am not sure, but it might be a Parasitic copepod, not sure which specie. I never seen them swimming, you have good eyes.
If it is indeed a parasite, they are quite common on Buffalo and Great sculpins and also on Lingcod.
Image

Re: What kind of cephalopod?

Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 9:05 pm
by cephalogoddess
Wow, it does look like those. But it swam just like a squid or an octopus and it had two long tentacles and several shorter ones. And if you look very closely I think you can see the chromatophores.

Re: What kind of cephalopod?

Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 10:26 pm
by Scubie Doo
Image

Could it be a baby GPO???


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What kind of cephalopod?

Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 10:27 pm
by Scubie Doo
After looking closer, yours might be a market squid. :) either way, it's a cool find.


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Re: What kind of cephalopod?

Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 11:17 pm
by Greg Jensen
I'm with Jan on this- parasitic copepod.

Re: What kind of cephalopod?

Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 10:24 am
by cephalogoddess
Thanks guys! Do parasitic Copepods swim like an octopus/squid does?

Re: What kind of cephalopod?

Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2017 12:05 am
by Greg Jensen
they generally swim in spurts, so kind of similar- except they do it using appendages rather than jet propulsion