WHATSTHATFISH
Octopus & squid

Golden Cuttlefish

Acanthosepion esculentum

Also known as: Common Cuttlefish, Ovalbone Cuttlefish, Sepia esculenta

Adult
@fishx6 · Lembeh, Indonesia · August 20081 / 4
01

Overview

Found single, on sand and in seagrass beds, over coral and rocky reefs. Colour changes to match surroundings.
Depth 2-30m
Widespread West Pacific

Cuttlefish possess the ability to swim in different manners, usually gently rippling their side fins. However when in danger, the cuttlefish sucks water into their body cavity and expels it through a funnel like extension on the underside of the body, causing a backward propulsion enabling the cuttlefish to escape from predators.
They are also able to shoot a cloud of black ink at predators when threatened.
They feed by catching their prey by two powerful tentacles which shoot out from beneath the creatures eyes. The prey is then pulled toward the animal's strong beak and crushed before consuming.
Cuttlefish gather in their hundreds of thousands to spawn.
Males can only produce once and the females die shortly after laying their eggs.

02

How to identify

Body shape
tentacles

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Pacific
  • Country only · 4
LIVES IN

Found single, on sand and in seagrass beds, over coral and rocky reefs.

04

Adult photos 4

05

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumMollusca
    3. classCephalopoda
    4. orderSepiida
    5. familySepiidae
    6. genusAcanthosepion
    7. speciesAcanthosepion esculentum (Hoyle, 1885)

    SourcesWoRMS

    06

    More in the family

    Cuttlefishes (Sepiidae)