Cuttlefish

 Cuttlefish of the Great Barrier Reef

Cuttlefish

• 🦑 Masters of Camouflage – Famous for their ability to change colour, texture, and even patterns instantly, allowing them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings or communicate with other marine life.

• 🌊 Incredible Intelligence – Often called the “chameleons of the sea,” cuttlefish are among the smartest invertebrates, capable of problem-solving, learning from experience, and using complex hunting strategies.

• 👀 W-Shaped Pupils for Super Vision – The;y have W-shaped pupils that help them detect polarized light, allowing them to see contrasts and movements even in low-light conditions.

• 💡 Bioluminescent Displays – Some species of cuttlefish can create dazzling light displays across their skin, using them to attract mates, warn predators, or confuse prey before striking.

• 🦐 Specialized Tentacles for Hunting – Cuttlefish have two long, retractable tentacles that shoot out at lightning speed to snatch unsuspecting fish, crabs, and shrimp, bringing them into their beak-like mouth.

• 🏝️ Common on the Great Barrier Reef – Cuttlefish can often be found in shallow reef waters, coral lagoons, and seagrass beds, making them a fantastic species for snorkelers and divers to spot.

• 🥚 Fascinating Reproduction & Egg Laying – Female cuttlefish carefully place their eggs in hidden reef crevices, coating them in a protective layer, ensuring the next generation of these incredible cephalopods can thrive.

Discover the cuttlefish

The Great Barrier Reef is not just famous for its stunning corals and diverse marine life; it’s also home to some fascinating and intelligent creatures, including cuttlefish. These intriguing cephalopods are a marvel to observe in the clear blue waters of the reef. Let’s dive into the world of cuttlefish!

• Size: 15-25 cm. The Giant Cuttlefish can grow up to 50 cm.
• Birth: Hatch from eggs
• Class: Cephalopda
• Diet: Small molluscs, crabs, shrimps, fish, octopus.
• Lifespan: 1-2 years

Cuttlefish

Cuttlefish, often called “cuttles,” are fascinating marine molluscs belonging to the suborder Sepiina and part of the Cephalopod family, which includes squid, octopuses, and nautiluses. These unique creatures have an internal shell known as the cuttlebone, which they use to control buoyancy—an essential feature for their smooth movement through the ocean.

You can easily recognise cuttlefish by their large, W-shaped pupils, eight arms, and two tentacles lined with denticulated suckers that help them catch prey. Typically, they range in size from 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in), with the largest species, the giant cuttlefish (Sepia apama), reaching up to 50 cm (20 in) and weighing over 10.5 kg (23 lbs). These predators feed on small molluscs, crabs, shrimp, fish, octopuses, and even cuttlefish. However, they also have predators, such as dolphins, larger fish (including sharks), seals, seabirds, and, occasionally, other cuttlefish.

Intelligence

Cuttlefish stand out for their impressive intelligence; studies show they’re among the smartest invertebrates! They have one of the largest brain-to-body size ratios of all invertebrates, allowing them to engage in complex behaviours and problem-solving.

In ancient Greco-Roman times, people highly valued cuttlefish for the special brown pigment they released when alarmed. This natural ink, known as “sepia,” became prized for its rich colour, adding a beautiful hue to art and writing. This pigment gave its name to the reddish-brown colour we still use today in art and photography.

With a typical lifespan of about 1-2 years, cuttlefish live relatively short but remarkable lives, filled with adaptive abilities, incredible camouflage skills, and a deep connection to their underwater world. These captivating creatures make any encounter beneath the waves a memorable experience!

Cuttlefish Frequently Asked Questions and Answers