WHATSTHATFISH
Octopus & squid

Thai Pygmy Squid

Idiosepius thailandicus

Also known as: Bobtail Squid, Iridescent Squid, Pygmy Cuttlefish, Pygmy Squid, Thailand Bobtail Squid, Thailanese Bobtail Squid

Adult
@perigor2000 · Similan, Thailand · February 20071 / 1
01

Overview

Found sometimes buried with just their eyes showing, over mud, sand and seagrass bottoms, in shallow lagoons and coastal waters.
They feed nocturnally on crustaceans.

Some of the smallest squids, they can change colour when predators come near.
These squid have a glue gland on their backs so they can cover themselves in sand for camouflage. There is also a light organ in their bellies, that hosts bioluminescnt bacteria which produces the iridescent colours.

02

How to identify

Pattern
spots
Body shape
tentacles

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-West Pacific
  • Country only · 1
LIVES IN

Found sometimes buried with just their eyes showing, over mud, sand and seagrass bottoms, in shallow lagoons and coastal waters.

04

Adult photos 1

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumMollusca
    3. classCephalopoda
    4. orderSepiolida
    5. familySepiolidae
    6. genusIdiosepius
    7. speciesIdiosepius thailandicus Chotiyaputta, Okutani & Chaitiamvong, 1991

    SourcesWoRMSWikipedia

    06

    More in the family

    Sepiolida