I sighted these two Southern Bobtail Squid, Euprymna tasmanica during a night dive at Port Noarlunga jetty on 1st August: –
I posted details to iNaturalist at https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/observations/233206918 , saying “This pair seemed oblivious to the various divers and their surroundings generally. No surprise, given their kin are known to do the same e.g. the cuttlefish at Whyalla.
“(But a point worth noting since I got no useful images of this aspect; when first seen they were up in the water column, hanging in one place despite the modest tidal current. They were about 50 cm above the substrate. But once we approached for photos, they slowly descended to continue their coupling on the bottom.)”
I later added, “I’ve found and added a photo taken just before they settled on the bottom, FWIW. (Refers to my opening note about first seeing them well up in the water column).”: –
Here are more photos of the two squid, in no particular order: –
(Editor’s note: Paul Macdonald’s photo of two Southern Bobtail Squid coupling at Edithburgh jetty featured as the April image in our 2011 Calendar of South Australian Marine Life (described as Southern dumpling squid). It is the image between the goatfish and the seadragon.)
