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| cephalopods text index | photo index |
| Phylum Mollusca > Class Cephalopoda > squids and cuttlefishes |
| Cephalapod
eggs updated May 2020
Where seen? These egg capsules are seen on many of our shores and can be seasonally common. These capsules were probably produced by cephalopods which includes octopuses, squids and cuttlefish. Features: Some take the form of small tear-drop shaped capsules (1.5-2cm) joined together to form a 'string' about 10-15cm long. The entire assembly is usually attached to a firm structure or surface such as a tubeworm's tube or sea fans (gorgonians). Some are also attached to seaweeds. The capsules are black but become transparent just before the babies emerge as miniatures of the adults. Other egg capsules look like white sausage-shaped capsules 6-8cm long. Usually seen in a bunch of several 'sausages' attached to large masses of seaweeds. |
Egg capsules contain living eggs or tiny animals. Don't
disturb them.
 String of black egg capsules Changi, Jul 02  |
 Developing babies Changi, Jul 03  |
 Another kind of egg capsule commonly seen. Pulau Hantu, Feb 08  |
| Good mama: In bottom-dwelling octopuses, the female looks after her eggs; keeping them oxygenated, free of algae and bacteria, and defending them from predators. The Big-head seagrass octopus has been seen 'carrying' strings of eggs. |
 Changi, Jul 09 |
 Carrying eggs? |
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| Dive video of cuttlefishes courting and laying egg capsules deep in a colony of branching coral. Pulau Hantu, Aug 2020 |
| Cephalopod eggs on Singapore shores |
On wildsingapore
flickr
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| Other sightings on Singapore shores |
 Pulau Pawai, Dec 09 |
