What kind of cephalopod?

Fish & Invertebrate sightings and descriptions, hosted by resident NWDC ID expert Janna Nichols (nwscubamom).
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cephalogoddess
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What kind of cephalopod?

Post 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.
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Jan K
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Re: What kind of cephalopod?

Post 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.
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cephalogoddess
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Re: What kind of cephalopod?

Post 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.
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Scubie Doo
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Re: What kind of cephalopod?

Post by Scubie Doo »

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Could it be a baby GPO???


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Scubie Doo
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What kind of cephalopod?

Post by Scubie Doo »

After looking closer, yours might be a market squid. :) either way, it's a cool find.


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Greg Jensen
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Re: What kind of cephalopod?

Post by Greg Jensen »

I'm with Jan on this- parasitic copepod.
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cephalogoddess
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Re: What kind of cephalopod?

Post by cephalogoddess »

Thanks guys! Do parasitic Copepods swim like an octopus/squid does?
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Greg Jensen
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Re: What kind of cephalopod?

Post by Greg Jensen »

they generally swim in spurts, so kind of similar- except they do it using appendages rather than jet propulsion
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