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Updated 10/4/2025

Family Argonautidae

CIRCUMTROPICAL

Argonauta argo



Rock Quarry, Catalina, CA

Bishop Museum

Lanikai Beach, O'ahu
   

PAPER NAUTILUS

A pelagic octopus creates this fragile egg case which rarely washes ashore intact.  The largest shells belong to females, at 12 inches, 30 cm.  They are found attached to, and feeding upon jellyfish.  This is the largest of six known species.  Occurs in warm and temperate seas worldwide.