Australian Giant Cuttlefish
Ascarosepion apama
Reaper Cuttlefish
Ascarosepion mestus
About
The reaper cuttlefish, also called the red cuttlefish, is found only along Australia's east coast, where it hides under reef ledges by day. Its rich red colour and quick-change camouflage make it a striking sight for divers who spot one out in the open.
Also known as: red cuttlefish
How to tell it apart
It can be confused with other cuttlefish species that share the same basic body plan. Its reddish colour with two dark spots near the tail end of the body, visible when it is calm and undisturbed, is the clearest sign of this species.
Appearance
This cuttlefish has the typical cuttlefish body: a ring of arms around the mouth, plus a pair of longer feeding tentacles that shoot out to grab prey, all attached to a soft mantle supported by an internal, rigid cuttlebone. When undisturbed, it shows a reddish colour with two dark spots near the rear of its body.
Habitat
It lives on rocky reefs along Australia's east coast, from northern Queensland to Jervis Bay in New South Wales, usually sheltering under ledges. It is found in depths down to about 22 m.
Behaviour
Like other cuttlefish, it moves by jet propulsion, pushing water out through a tube-like funnel to swim forward or backward. It can instantly change both the colour and texture of its skin, raising small flaps called papillae to mimic rock, coral, or seaweed. It can also bury itself in sand to hide from predators.
Did you know?
It can tell the difference between light waves vibrating in different directions, a sense called polarised vision, which most other animals cannot detect at all.
Log it in Into the Blue
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