The common cuttlefish, sepia officinalis, is a cephalopod, making it related to octopuses and squids. They can grow rather large, measuring up to 17.7 inches (45 centimeters) in length. Their bodies are flattened and broad, with a fin that runs around the body from behind their head. They have 9 ‘arms’ encircling their beak-like mouth, each of which has suckers. In addition to the arms, the common cuttlefish has 2 tentacles with flattened, paddle-like tips which it can extend to help catch its prey. It also possesses an internal shell (called a ‘cuttlebone’) that is filled with gas and adds buoyancy. They are usually blackish-brown, either molted or striped and with paler under parts, although they are able to change their color and pattern almost instantly to suit different situations.
The common cuttlefish can be found in the eastern Atlantic, from the Baltic Sea to South Africa, the Mediterranean, and along the southern and western coasts of Britain. They may live in estuaries and sheltered lagoons as well as the open ocean at depths of up to 656 feet (200 meters). A common cuttlefish moves around by using the fin on its head in addition to ‘jet-propulsion’ (rapidly expelling water and using that force to move). They spend most of their time on the sea floor, only moving to fight, mate or to hunt for food (depending on the situation of course).
The diet of a common cuttlefish consists of mollusks, crabs and young fish. They have also been known to engage in cannibalism (eating their own kind) from time to time. They will extend their 2 paddle-like tentacles to ensnare their prey and then consume it with their bird-like beak. When threatened by a predator, the common cuttlefish will eject ink (called sepia) to distract its attacker while it makes its escape. After it has made its initial escape, it will find someplace safe and camouflage itself to avoid being spotted by any more predators.
The common cuttlefish will migrate to warmer waters during spring and summer in order to spawn. Males will attract females by an impressive display of color changing and fight other competing males for the right to mate. After mating, the female will lay her fertilized eggs, adding ink to the egg case in order to make it dark and harder to spot by predators. She will also attach each individual egg to things on the ocean floor such as shells and seaweed. Both the male and female will die after spawning, with the eggs hatching about 2 months later. These underwater creatures have a very short life span, living only 1 to 2 years of age.
The common cuttlefish is not an endangered species. It is however, fished commercially in addition to being caught in bycatch (the part of a catch that does not include the targeted species) and therefore must be closely monitored for exploitation. Hopefully, this amazing animal can continue its healthy lifestyle and avoid ever having to face the threat of extinction. After all, such a unique species of cephalopod deserves to live and prosper far into the future.
Works Cited
“Sepia Officinalis, The Common Cuttlefish” 13 June 2011
“Common Cuttlefish (Sepia Officinalis)” 13 June 2011
“Common Cuttlefish” 13 June 2011
“Common Cuttlefish” 13 June 2011
