Today I will be talking about the Flamboyant Cuttlefish! Cuttlefish get their name from their cuttlebone, which is an internal shell made up of pores that fill with gas to help them regulate their buoyancy. But as seen for this little guy, and yes little they grow up to 3 inches long, they can use their 8 arms to walk! They are the only species known to do this! Most of their life is lived on the sandy bottom of coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific Ocean where they eat small shrimp, fish, and crabs by extending their 2 internally hidden tentacles to catch them. Known as the “chameleons of the sea,” all cuttlefish can change their color and pattern within an instant! This adaptation is used for a variety of purposes such as to camouflage, warn of predators, attract prey, or communicate with other cuttlefish. According to toxicology reports, the Flamboyant Cuttlefish is the third cephalopod (Blue Ringed Octopus and Striped Pyjama Squid) and only cuttlefish species to be toxic, but some speculation still remains! Males will fight for mating dens which can vary from protected crevices to under ledges of coral, rock, or wood. Once a female arrives, sperm is transferred and the female fertilizes and deposits her eggs in the den where they are left to develop. Sadly, the female dies shortly after this whole process. A unique physical feature is the 4 pairs of fleshy papillae on the tops of their mantles. Habitat destruction by fishing or bottom trawling, pollution and ocean acidification all pose a threat that these cephalopods should never have to encounter! This species is also very appealing to aquarium keepers, but are difficult to keep alive.
Originally posted on 13 January 2019
(my picture taken from The Florida Aquarium)
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