[Originally posted to the Moorea Coral Reef LTER (MCR LTER) Marine Life Encyclopedia]

Reef Octopus
(Octopus cyanea)

Photo by Gerick Bergsma

Octopuses possess complex eyes and well developed brains, and are extremely intelligent and inquisitive.


	Throughout the tropical Indopacific, from Africa and the Red Sea to Polynesia

	Exposed reefs and reef flats

	Crustaceans, mollusks and fish

	Reef octopuses are masters of camouflage and hiding. Lacking shells or bones, they can squeeze into impossibly small holes and crevices, and can change their color and skin texture to match almost any background (sand, coral, algae). If provoked, reef octopuses may flatten themselves and turn white to appear intimidating. If all else fails, octopuses can use jets of water to quickly propel themselves away from danger, and squirts of ink to confuse predators that might chase them.

	- Animal Diversity Web - Shedd Aquarium - Moorea Biocode Database

Photo by Gerick Bergsma

Cucumbers feed using specially modified tube feet to bring food to their mouths.


	Throughout the Indian and West Pacific, including eastern Africa, India, Japan, Australia and French Polynesia

	Reef flats and sand patches

	Algae (esp. Halimeda sp.) and detritus

	Pineapple Cucumbers are known to host pearlfish, symbiotic fish that live in the cucumber's gut. Pearlfish have long, slender bodies and are able to enter and exit their cucumber home through the cucumber's anus. It is thought that they may feed on parts of the cucumber's digestive tract, as well as hunt for small crustaceans and fish outside the cucumber.

	- Echinoderms - Moorea Biocode Database

Photo by Gerick Bergsma

Conus is a diverse genus, with over 500 species.


	Worldwide, primarily in tropics, but several species inhabit temperate reefs.

	Exposed reefs, reef flats and sand patches

	Worms, mollusks (including other cone snails), and fish

	Cone snails are predatory, and hunt by sniffing out their prey with their long proboscis. Many burrow through the sand, sneaking up on their prey before stinging them with a harpoon-like mouthpart called a radula. They then inject their prey with some of the most powerful neurotoxins known. The toxin in several species, including C. textile and C. geographus are powerful enough to kill humans, and are being studied for their abilities to disrupt nerve function, possibly leading to more powerful pain killers.

	- Wikipedia - Nature - Moorea Biocode Database

Photo by Gerick Bergsma

Cleaner shrimp clean parasites and injured tissue from reef fish, and "dance" by swaying side to side and whipping their antennae to attract clients.


	S. hispidus is found on tropical reefs worldwide.

	Reef flats and protected reef environments

	Fish parasites and dead tissue

	Cleaner shrimp are highly territorial and may remain within a one meter area for as long as one year. Males and females are often found in pairs, and it is believed that cleaner shrimp mate with one partner for life. Females are usually larger than males, and mating can only occur when females have recently molted their exoskeleton.

	Coming Soon - Moorea Biocode Database