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Flamboyant Cuttlefish

Flamboyant cuttlefish provide a pop of color beneath the waves! Capable of changing color at will, they use vibrant displays to try and attract a mate as well as to warn predators to back off!

 

This colorful creature is found in the warm, relatively shallow waters of the Indo-Pacific ocean. Reaching a maximum size of 6 centimeters (2.4 inches) long, the flamboyant cuttlefish is a small species of cuttlefish — but one of the most eye-catching. Its base coloration is relatively muted, but when threatened or excited, it produces striking black, white, and yellow patches across its body, with bright red tips on its arms, using specialized pigment cells called chromatophores. These bold displays serve as a warning: the flamboyant cuttlefish is highly toxic, meaning predators are best leaving it alone!  

This cuttlefish is a surprisingly poor swimmer and instead often prefers to “walk” along the sandy or muddy seafloor. It hunts small crustaceans and fish, using its color-changing ability to camouflage and sneak close before striking.

 

 

Not much is known about the threats these cuttlefish face, but they may be affected by the impacts of global warming on the ocean. Rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere contribute to ocean acidification, which can increase density of the cuttlebone — an internal shell that helps cuttlefish regulate their buoyancy. Increased cuttlebone density may make it harder for them to control their ability to float or sink, potentially hindering their ability to hunt and survive.

 

 

Reducing global carbon emissions is critical to combatting the climate crisis and the impact it is having on our climate, our oceans, and our planet. One of the most effective ways we can do this is by halting offshore drilling — a dirty and dangerous business that pollutes our oceans and accelerates the climate crisis. Learn about Oceana’s campaign to stop offshore drilling and how you can speak out here.

 

 

 

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