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ALEXANDRE MEINESZ

Common cuttlefish

In Dive.Explo360: Mediterranean · Northeast Atlantic · Atlantic Ocean

It is hard to look away from a Common cuttlefish as it instantly changes appearance. Between seagrass beds and sandy bottoms, it alternates perfect stillness with lightning-fast attacks. Its colour displays and precise movements make it one of the most fascinating diving encounters.

Habitat de Common cuttlefish Habitat
Sand, Seagrass meadow, Rocky habitat
Profondeur de Common cuttlefish Depth
1-200 m
Groupe biologique de Common cuttlefish Group
Mollusc
Rôle écologique de Common cuttlefish Role
Apex predator

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

The Common cuttlefish is a cephalopod capable of changing its colour and skin appearance very rapidly to camouflage itself or communicate. It has eight short sucker-bearing arms and two long tentacles that it shoots out to catch prey. Its body is flattened, bordered by undulating fins allowing precise movement. For rapid escape, it uses a jet of water expelled through a siphon. Inside, a calcareous structure called the ‘cuttlebone’ regulates its buoyancy.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It frequents coastal areas, on sandy or muddy seabeds or among seagrass and algae. It can also partly bury itself in sand to conceal itself.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

It is an ambush predator. It catches crustaceans, small fish and other marine animals by projecting its tentacles. Its saliva contains substances that paralyse prey before it cuts them up with its beak.

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Sandy seabed species Seagrass meadow species Rocky seabed species

Same ecological role and depth

Apex predator species

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