[1][2] A. bottgeri is similar to Argonauta hians, but differs in having more pronounced ribs and prominent tubercles on the keel.

It is generally darker than that of any other species, ranging in colour from ochre-yellow to almost black, although completely white specimens have been reported from South African waters.

A. bottgeri feeds primarily on pelagic molluscs, especially heteropods and pteropods, with other octopods constituting a smaller portion of the animal's diet.

[6] Males of this species reach sexual maturity at a mantle length (ML) of about 7 mm, presumably the maximum size attained.

[7] Eggs are usually laid when females reach 14 or 15 mm ML, although the size at which this takes place differs across the animal's range.

The second is located in the middle of the mass and contains eggs at a later stage of development, ranging from the appearance of red eye pigmentation to the beginning of chromatophore formation.

The third portion lies furthest from the aperture of the eggcase and consists of eggs with embryos that are ready to hatch, having a fully formed ink sac, chromatophores, and dark coloured eyes.