Sepia mestus
| Scientific name | Sepia mestus |
|---|---|
| Descriptor | Gray |
| Year of description | 1849 |
| IUCN category | LC |
| Family | Sepiidae |
| Genus | Sepia |
Introduction
Sepia mestus is a salt water mollusc.
Who is it?
Genus Sepia
The species of the genus Sepia are commonly called cuttlefish. They are found in most tropical and subtropical seas and oceans. Cuttlefish have an endoskeleton called cuttlebone. Made up of limestone, it grows floor after floor, becoming more complex (like a building on its foundations).
Cuttlefish vary the amount of gas present in the cavities thus created. This allows it to precisely regulate its buoyancy depending on how deep under water it is situated.Research is being conducted to understand why the bone structure changes with age. One of the hypothesis suggests that the more complex the skeleton, the better resistance to pressure and the better adjustment of the quantity of gas in the cavities. This may help the migration of adult cuttlefish to deeper waters.
The dorso-ventral part of cuttlefish is flat. Like for all cephalopods, the mouth has a beak and is positioned at the level of the feet. Around its mouth,the cuttlefish has 10 tentacles : 8 short ones with a sucker on all the inside, and 2 retractable used for hunting. These 2 ones have hammers with 6 rows of suckers at their end.
Morphology
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Size8 - 12 cm
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Colourschanging
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Mimicrymultiple
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Type of mouthbeak
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ChromatophoresYes
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Size8 - 12 cm
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Colourschanging
-
Mimicrymultiple
-
Type of mouthbeak
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ChromatophoresYes
How to recognize Sepia mestus ?
Sepia mestus measures between 8 and 12 cm.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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Sociabilitysolitary
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Way of livingnocturnal
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VenomousNo
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Dietpredator
Chromatophores are pigment cells that reflect light in the integument of some animals. They are mostly responsible for the color of the skin and eyes of cold-blooded animals and are created by the neural crest during embryonic development.
Sepia mestus is a mollusc solitary naturally found at mid-depth and near the bottom. This species is carnivorous . This mollusc lives mainly at night. Usually, it leaves its hiding place and starts to be active once it gets dark.
Although Sepia mestus is non-territorial, it is sometimes aggressive towards other species.
Reproduction
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Reproductionovipare qui dépose ses Œufs dans la végétation
Sepia mestus is a mollusc ovipare qui dépose ses Œufs dans la végétation.
Harmless species
This species does not represent any particular threats to humans when encountered in its natural environment.
Where to find it?
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature25 - 30 °C
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Depth0 - 22 m
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EnvironmentFree benthic
Biotope presentation
Sepia mestus is most often found at a depth between 0m and 22m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths.
Fishkeeping
Not recommended
We do not recommend keeping this species in an aquarium. It has unpredictable needs which, if not met, generate significant stress, potentially leading to a shorter life expectancy, an interruption of its growth or the development of pathogens.
To go further
To read on the web
Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
Bibliographic references
Cephalopods of the world - Volume 1. Chambered Nautiluses and Sepioids (Nautilidae, Sepiidae, Sepiolidae, Sepiadariidae, Idiosepiidae and Spirulidae) - FAO Fisheries Synopsis - 2005.
Same genus
common cuttlefish
Sepiidae
Species of the same biotope
Scientific partners
