WHATSTHATFISH
Octopus & squid

Oman Cuttlefish

Rhombosepion omani

Also known as: Cephalopod, Cuttlefish, Large Striped Cuttlefish, Sepia omani

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2012
Adult
@avzaid · Khasab, Oman · April 20121 / 1
01

Overview

Found over rock, and sandy areas, blending in with their surroundings, over coral and rocky reefs. Colour changes to match surroundings.

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
skin tags

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Indian Ocean
  • Country only · 1
LIVES IN

Found over rock, and sandy areas, blending in with their surroundings, over coral and rocky reefs.

04

Adult photos 1

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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. genusRhombosepion
    7. speciesRhombosepion omani (Adam & Rees, 1966)

    SourcesWoRMS

    06

    More in the family

    Cuttlefishes (Sepiidae)