![Argonauta argo, Cephalopods: Cephalopoda, Invertebrates, LIFE STAGES, less than 1 inch, Laz Ruda, Lazaro Ruda Wildlife Photographer, MARINE LIFE, Mollusks: Mollusca, Nautiluses: Nautiloidea, PHOTO TYPE, night dive, Paper Nautilus: Argonautidae, SIZE, macro, TheLivingSea.com, West Palm Beach, [LOCATION], blackwater, larvae, common paper nautilus: Argonauta argo, horizontal, macro, marine, ocean, salp, underwater, underwater photo](https://oceanwildlifephoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/190809-180102-0003.jpg)
This special little creature is very dear to my heart. I have been searching for the female Paper Nautilus for over 25 years and this is only the second time I have seen one alive in Florida. This little cephalopod secretes its own paper-like shell (the helmet looking structure) in which she wraps her colorful mantle around and lays her eggs inside. Males are sexually dimorphic (max 3/4in.). This one is a juvenile at only about an inch in size, but can grow up to six inches.