Flamboyant Cuttlefish

Superpower

Pulses waves of colour across its skin and 'walks' the seabed on arm-tips.

At a glance

Size

typically 6 cm, up to 8 cm

Lifespan

1–2 years

Depth

3–86 m

Habitat

Sandy and muddy bottoms in 'muck diving' sites.

Diet

Small fish and crustaceans, snared with a lightning tentacle strike.

Can I eat it?

No — this one is not eaten.

Safety

• Dangerous3/10

  Toxic to eat; otherwise harmless to people.

• Poisonous7/10

  One of the only cuttlefish with toxic flesh — do not eat.

Fun facts

• •It is one of the only cuttlefish known to have toxic flesh.
• •It walks along the bottom on its arms instead of swimming.
• •It flashes pulsing colours to warn predators away.