Further Reading on blue ringed octopus Blue ringed octopus. The blue ringed octopus is a small brown octopus which develops brilliant blue ring shaped markings when disturbed. This genus has been associated with severe envenomation resulting in respiratory failure, and in human fatalities. The blue ringed octopus is found in tidal rock pools and is very attractive, especially to children and tourists, who are at risk of envenomation when they pick up the octopus.
Bites can also occur when the creature is trodden on by waders.
It causes blockade of sodium channels and thus neurological problems such as weakness, numbness or paraesthesia, breathing difficulties and paralysis. The patient may be completely paralysed and unable to respond, sometimes with fixed dilated pupils, but the sensorium is often intact, and care should be taken to avoid negative remarks which the alert patient may hear. There is no antivenom available in Australia for blue ringed octopus envenomation. Sutherland, S.K. and Lane, W.R. Toxins and mode of envenomation of the common ringed or blue-banded octopus. Hopkins, D.G. Venomous effects and treatment of octopus bite.