I snapped this picture when I was done with the evenings' work at the NRCC. Thought you guys would appreciate seeing it.

It's not in the greatest of focus, as I didn't want to disturb them by using the flash.

Very nice!

Can you share any details on the programme involving them?

Has anybody done any major work involving the Metasepia sp.? I find these animals fascinating but I can't seem to find much literature about them.

saul

Sweeeet, I just l0ve metasepia. I nearly got hold of one but someone got to it first. Nice pic fluffy squid. :)

There are just a few of them. One is being observed in a glass aquarium on a bed of sand. I am likely not the best person to ask about the program for them, as I just started working there. But i was just thrilled to find out they had metasepia and thought I would share a picture.

It's very fascinating to watch them! Normally they're very drab colored, until you approach their tank, at which time they adopt their bright red and yellow coloration and raise tentacles in challenge.

This is kinda off-topic, but I live in Houston, and I am a big ceph fan. Is there a way for me and a few of my fishy interested friends to arrange a tour of the facility? Who should I contact, so as not to bug you furhther?

Thanks!
Shannen

haha, you're not bugging me. It's a very cool place to get to see. From what I hear, people are coming in all the time to see it.

Here is the website for a little more information: http://www.nrcc.utmb.edu/

And I would suggest contacting either of these two people:
Jonathan W. Minton, B.S. jwminton@utmb.edu
Leigh S. Walsh, M.S. lswalsh@utmb.edu

Hey thanks for sharing the photo. I really like it.

Cheers, LS

What sort of work are you doing there, Fluffysquid? Do you get to work with all the cephs?

Nancy

i'm one of many college interns. we collect live food, do the feedings for all the cephs, and clean tanks, among a few other things.

Hey, I went to highschool with John Minton, small world!

I know, you folks don't know who either of us are, but still, I'm amused :lol:

Shannen

hey Shannen, did you ever look into getting a tour of the place out of curiosity? They do tours quite often. There was a group of high school students on a tour yesterday.

Very nice!

Can you share any details on the programme involving them?

I previously had no details to share... as I have found out, however, this is because a program had not yet begun.

October 31st we are starting a substrate experiment for the Metasepia. They are offered a choice of oyster shell, crushed coral, Galveston sand, or pebbles. We will record at several different times a day how many animals are in each substrate, and if they are sitting on the substrate, swimming, or walking. We will also try to record which animal is in the substrate by size i.e. largest-smallest as well as making other observations such as breeding behavior.

Great experiment! I'm guessing the metasepia will prefer the sand but I would like to see the results. Over how long a time is the experiment going to be carried out? Do keep us posted :heee:

Great experiment! I'm guessing the metasepia will prefer the sand but I would like to see the results. Over how long a time is the experiment going to be carried out? Do keep us posted :heee:

i'm not entirely sure, but i'll keep you all posted!