Flamboyant Cuttlefish

October 16, 2015
“The ocean
nurtures the most
fascinating and unique
creatures in the natural
world.” -Stephen & Anthony Palumbi,
The Extreme Life of the Sea
SEA CREATURE
FACT OF THE WEEK
FLAMBOYANT CUTTLEFISH
Unique among Cuttlefish, this rather tiny and distinctive specimen can be found only in the tropical Indo-Pacific
waters around Australia, the Philippines, New Guinea, Indonesia and Malaysia.
The Flamboyant Cuttlefish, also called
Pfeffer’s Flamboyant Cuttlefish, is distinct
from all other Cuttlefish species. Not only is it
brilliantly colorful; it lives on the sea floor in
shallow sandy or muddy habitats, and is the
only known Cuttlefish to “walk” over the
bottom using its tentacles rather than
swimming. Unlike other species, Flamboyant
Cuttlefish will stand their ground when
confronted or threatened, whereas their
Cuttlefish cousins tend to retreat and hide. It
is believed that this behavior results from yet
another unique characteristic of Pfeffer’s
Flamboyant Cuttlefish: its skin is highly toxic.
So toxic, in fact, that its venom has been
I’m No Giant!
Flamboyant Cuttlefish are quite
small, growing only 6 - 8 cm (2
- 3 inches) in mantle length
(i.e. the length of the body
excluding tentacles).
compared to that of the Blue-Ringed
Octopus, one of the deadliest animals in the
world. Flamboyant Cuttlefish do share some
traits with other Cuttlefish species, however,
including the ability to rapidly change colors
and skin-patterns for communication and
camouflage. They are also highly intelligent.
Growing up Pfast…!
As soon as they are born,
Flamboyant Cuttlefish have the
form of a miniature adult and
already possess the ability to
change coloration and patterns.
This one is pictured just
moments after hatching.