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CUTTLEFISH
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Cuttlefish image gallery...
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Underwater photography: images of cuttlefish taken while scuba diving
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All about cuttlefish...
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Phylum: Mollusca |
Cuttlefish, along with related cephalopods (octopus, squid and the nautilus), are part of the Phylum Mollusca but are differentiated from nearly all other molluscs by their lack of a hard shell. Their bodies are soft, hollow chambers that are supported by a single, porous cuttlebone. The chamber can be filled with gas or water then uses to regulate their buoyancy. Cuttlefish can move backwards by forcing water through a siphon near the head - jet propulsion at it’s finest. Cuttlefish are among the most intelligent marine creatures with one of the largest brain-to-body ratios of all invertebrates. They have an advanced central nervous system and their eyes allow them to see us pretty much as we see them. They are masters of disguise with the ability to change skin colour and texture which helps them to stay camouflaged. Cuttlefish sexes are separate - a mating pair will swim side by side, the male indulging in some courtship behaviour with waving arms. Eventually mating takes place - the male using a modified tentacle to place sperm packets on the inner side of the female's mouth. The female then places egg after egg into the cracks and crevices of a suitable hiding spot like staghorn coral. The male hovers attentively nearby until she’s finished, but the female does not look after the eggs and will die soon after she lays them. |
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This small cuttlefish measure up to 8cm long and it's flesh is known to be toxic. |
 
DIVE LOG: The incredible, colourful flamboyant cuttlefish always lives up to it's name no matter where we have seen it. Two areas where we have had some great encounters with them include just beneath the jetty at Kapalai, where they would nestle in the rubble. Simply swimming past would initiate a vibrant colour-change display across their mantles, intended to warn off the potential predators. Across in the Lembeh Straits, Jahir dive site is a favourite for them (as well as divers) as they are easily spotted in this shallow bay,at night as they are wander across the dark sand seabed to hunt. In the middle image above, this one has extended his proboscis to reach for a shrimp. The flamboyant cuttlefish here are also known to lay their eggs in discarded coconut shells. At certain times, you can lift these from the sand and see the miniature flamboyant ready to emerge into the sea. |
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LOCATION: Kapalai, Malaysia (above) and Lembeh Straits, Indonesia|
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 Images on this page are available as prints. Take a note of the name then go to the photo order form... |
Our favourite book on cuttlefish is by Greg Norman and can be purchased from Amazon | |
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