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Flamboyant Cuttlefish

Metasepia pfefferi

Published on Project Noah
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1.47089, 124.845

Field Notes

Description:

M. pfefferi has been recorded from sand and mud substrate in shallow waters at depths of 3 to 86 m. The species is active during the day and has been observed hunting fish and crustaceans. It employs complex and varied camouflage to stalk its prey. The normal base color of this species is dark brown. Individuals that are disturbed or attacked quickly change colour to a pattern of black, dark brown, and white, with yellow patches around the mantle, arms, and eyes. The arm tips often display bright red coloration to ward off would-be predatorsM. pfefferi has been recorded from sand and mud substrate in shallow waters at depths of 3 to 86 m. The species is active during the day and has been observed hunting fish and crustaceans. It employs complex and varied camouflage to stalk its prey. The normal base color of this species is dark brown. Individuals that are disturbed or attacked quickly change colour to a pattern of black, dark brown, and white, with yellow patches around the mantle, arms, and eyes. The arm tips often display bright red coloration to ward off would-be predators.

Animals displaying this colour pattern have been observe

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (6)

It's the only cuttlefish known to be poisonous! Hence the crazy warning colours.
The water is so clear that the cuttlefish looks like if was floating in the air!
Fantastic. I want to see a cuttlefish!

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