Little Gem.
Southern Dumpling Squids, Euprymna tasmanica are one of my favorite critters and this juvenile demonstrates one of the reasons why. They like most Cephalopods have ‘chromatophores’ which are tiny cells of pigment which can be manipulated to create dazzling colours and patterns.
This little beauty is doing its best to imitate a lump of opal.
Little Gem. belongs to the following groups:
Australian Wildlife, Mornington Peninsula & Port Phillip Bay, Nature's Wonders, Something Fishy, Underwater & Sealife (Limit 2 Per Day) and Underwater Photographer's Guild Available for sale asGreeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints and Canvas Prints
sunsetgirl
wow, great shot! I didn’t know squids were so colorful!
Stephen Colquitt
Im itching to get my 105mm macro pointed at one of these guys Jim. Do you only ever see them at night?
James Peake replied
Yes definitely a night dive for these, you might blunder across one in daytime but they stay buried for the day and come out to play at night.
Rye and Blair are very reliable for them, always see them there.
Andrew Trevor-...
Damn that’s a sweet shot. I definitely need to do some more night muck dives in Sydney Harbour.
James Peake replied
Night dives are my favorite type of diving as I have a serious cephalopod fetish.
Andrew Trevor-...
I have loved cephalopods since I learned to dive in 1978. I did my honours project on feeding behaviour of Sepia mestus (which was IDed as S. liliana at the time). It is rare for me to not see at least one cephalopod (usually an octopus or a cuttlefish) on a dive, even during the day. Interestingly, my last dive was a night dive and I didn’t see one. The dive before was a day dive and I saw an octopus and a cuttlefish. :) Cuttlefish are my favourite.
Steve Bullock
Wow! What a shot!
Ben Grant
Awesome shot! I’ve never seen one go coloured like that – they always manage to bury themselves before I get close
H M Bascom
Gorgeous and extraordinary creatures! Excellent photograph!
natalia martin...
outstanding angle! great accomplishment!