Scottish Cephalopod

I photographed this cephalopod in Scotland last week (West Coast, near Oban) during the day. It was about the size of a tennis ball.

First photo shows its typical posture on the reef:

The second image shows it swimming:

Nothing rare - but the UK really lacks a decent marine life ID book!

Alex

I reckon Eledone cirrhosa, Alex. Usually called the curled or lesser octopus. Not aware we have any other species around the northern UK. These can be quite common some years then rare in others

Certainly in the Bobtail Squid area, Rossia macrosoma?

Cheers,

Jim.

I think JimSwims has got it right - the fins look like it's Rossia macrosoma as does the eye colour. According to the description in Marlin "Dorsal mantle border not fused to head"

Little cuttle?