Location: Romblon Island
Depth: shallow / medium depth
Cover Photo: Stephanie Lecoeur
Scientific Name: Metasepia pfefferi (Hoyle, 1885)
Type: Romblon Cephalopod
Group: Cephalopods
Family: Sepiidae
The Flamboyant Cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi) displays stunning changing and flashing colors and patterns. Their fins are yellow and their arms are purplish with margins of yellow. They actually “walk” along the bottom of the sea. This interesting behavior and the stunning flame like colors make it one of the favorite critters of underwater macro photographers and videographers. They have eight broad blade-like arms with four rows of suckers and like other squids Metasepia pfefferi has two tentacles inside its arms used for capturing food. Flamboyant Cuttlefish are active during the day and when disturbed or threatened they quickly flash different color patterns that advertise the poisonous nature of these cephalopods. These small hypnotizing creatures are deadly hunters and are the only known poisonous cuttlefish at this time.