Mototi Octopus Under the Wakatobi Jetty

A Rare Creature Caught on Camera

March 19, 2024
Normally a dull brown-orange, the mototi can change its skin color and texture to blend into its surroundings, but may light up in a vivid maroon color when feeling threatened.
Normally a dull brown-orange, the mototi can change its skin color and texture to blend into its surroundings, but may light up in a vivid maroon color when feeling threatened.
Photographer:

Much like its famous cousin the blue-ringed octopus, the recently-discovered mototi octopus packs a potent neurotoxin.

But not to worry, this pint-sized cephalopod is shy to the point of secretive, and catching sight of one is a rare treat. This particular specimen lives in a rubble pile under the jetty at Wakatobi Resort and was revealed by fluorescent lighting during a night time Fluro Dive.

Unlike a blue-ring octopus, which is covered in its namesake blue circles, the mototi sports a single pair of blue rings which are positioned mid-body to look like false eyes. Much remains unknown about this rarely-seen and highly secretive creature, even though it’s been right there all along at Wakatobi.

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Wakatobi is a dive resort in southeastern Sulawesi, Indonesia. In a tranquil island setting far from crowds and cities, with no other divers for at least 100 miles.

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