Blue-Ringed Octopus. There are over 2,000 species of fish found in the waters surrounding the islands. Shark species found within atolls and around reefs in the Maldives include grey reef sharks, black-tip reef sharks, white-tip reef sharks, and nurse sharks. The male argonaut octopus' ‘penis’ is actually a modified arm, known as a hectocotylus, that contains sperm. Common Octopus (Octopus vulgaris) - Marine Life - Liveaboard Diving Sidebar Menu They could have been ancient aquatic creatures, but to our civilization, their breed is relatively new. Discovered in 1949, the Flapjack Octopuses are still an understudied octopus species. Depending on the octopus species, adulthood is usually reached after only one to two years. Welcome  Maldives is known for luxury resorts, white beaches, blue sea and green vegetation. This website is not a scientific reference, but is ment to share my experiences when diving and snorkelling in the Maldives. Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students.ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Within months of mating with a female, the male will actually die. Distribution: Indian Ocean species. This colorful species is named as such because of the distinctive blue-colored rings around its body, it measures between 5 to 8-inches and as beautiful as it is, it is not the friendliest of creatures. Consequently, males do not live as long in the wild as females do. They come in a range of sizes. This octopus is the large species in the octopus world. Octopus, squid and clams are common, so too are giant clams. The biggest can weigh as much as 35 pounds and have an arm span of 15 feet. The Common Octopus is an extremely intelligent Cephalopod, found in seas & oceans around the world. The white-tip reef shark is a small non-aggressive, territorial shark rarely more than 1.5-meter … The largest octopus ever recorder belonged to the Giant Pacific Octopus species and weighed in at … The coral reefs are home to more than 1500 fish species and other animals, making the reefs some of the best sites in the world for diving and snorkelling. Out of all the 300 recognized octopus species, the Flapjack Octopuses are by the cutest and most innocent-looking octopus. Those deep-water octopuses might hold evolutionary clues to what early octopus sex looked like. They can be identified by their yellowish skin and characteristic blue and black rings that change color dramatically when the animal is threatened. The Blue-Ringed Octopus deserves to be highlighted, even if it is a little unnerving. The islands that make up Maldives are characterised by beautiful blue oceans and amazing white sandy beaches. There are over 300 species of octopus. There are mantra rays, stingrays and eagle rays as well as many kinds of anemones and jellyfish. It can get as long as 15 feet in length and nearly 150 pounds, and its overall size depends on its environment and several other factors. Blue-ringed octopuses, comprising the genus Hapalochlaena, are four highly venomous species of octopus that are also found in tide pools and coral reefs in the Indian ocean. Readily identified by dusky colour and a red tail fin. Ecology: common in the Maldives and occurs in most habitats to depths of at least 35 m. A schooling species but also forms pairs at times, probably when getting ready to spawn. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. "That leaves over 275 shallow-water species to go, and all of the deep-water species." The male will seek multiple female mates. Large schools often congregate on shallow reefs at about 6 m depth.