Metasepia pfefferi

Pfeffer's flamboyant cuttlefish, Metasepia pfefferi, is found in Tropical Indo-Pacific oceans, especially along the coast of northern Australia, western Australia, and across to the southern edge of New Guinea. (Reid, 2005)

Metasepia pfefferi is typically a bottom-dweller living from depths of 3 to 86 m. It prefers living among sandy and muddy substrates in tropical waters. (Reid, 2005)

Metasepia pfefferi is a small cephalopod with a dark brown base color. This cuttlefish has overlaying patterns of white and yellow and its arms are purple-pink. The skin contains many chromatophores, which are pigment cells that can be manipulated to change colors. Females and males have similar colors except when spawning.

Metasepia pfefferi has a very broad, oval mantle that is flattened dorsoventrally. The dorsal mantle has three pairs of large, flat, flap-like papillae, which cover its eyes. The dorsal anterior edge of the mantle lacks the tongue-like projection that is common among all other species of cuttlefish. The head is slightly narrower than the mantle. The mouth is surrounded by ten appendages. Two of the appendages are tentacles and eight of them are arms. The arms are broad and blade-like. On males, one of the arms is modified into a hectocotylus for holding and transferring spermatophores. The cuttlebone, the defining feature of a cuttlefish, is approximately two thirds to three quarters the length of the mantle. Metasepia pfefferi is also venomous. (Mangold and Young, 2008; Mangold, et al., 1999; Reid, 2005)

The eggs initially are round and white, and become clear as the egg develops. Development timing depends on water temperature. (Reid, 2005)

The females generally mate with more than one male. Sometimes male cuttlefish may spray water into the female's buccal area to clear out spermatophores from previous mates. (Kaufmann, 2007)

Males will put on colorful displays to attract females. Some males may change color to look like a female to avoid a more aggressive male, but gain access to a female.

Sexes are separate. Metasepia pfefferi reproduces by internal fertilization. Males have a specialized, hectocotyl arm that is used for holding and transferring spermatophores (packets of sperm) into the females buccal areas during mating. The female grabs the spermatophores with her arms and wipes them onto her eggs. After fertilization, the female lays her eggs one by one in hard to reach cracks and crevices to hide and provide protection against predators. (Kaufmann, 2007; Mangold, et al., 1999; Reid, 2005)

The females lay eggs in places that hide them from predators, but there is no parental care post-hatching as cuttlefish die after spawning. (Norman, 2007)

The lifespan of Metasepia pfefferi is estimated to be between 18 and 24 months based on knowledge of other species in the same family. However, many females do not survive post-spawning. Metasepia pfefferi is rarely held in captivity, and therefore, its lifespan in captivity has not been described. (Reid, 2005)

Metasepia pfefferi is a slow swimmer, relative to other cephalopods, such as squid. The internal cuttlebone is used to regulate buoyancy by controlling the gas and liquid that it lets into the chambers of the cuttlebone. Because the cuttlebone is small relative to the mantle, cuttlefish in general cannot swim very long and generally "walk" along the bottom. Metasepia pfefferi has a highly developed set of eyes. During the day, it spend its time actively hunting for food. The chromatophores located on its skin allow them to easily change colors to blend in with their environment when stalking prey. (Kaufmann, 2007; Kaufmann, 2007; Mangold, et al., 1999; Reid, 2005)

The home range has not been determined for this species.

Cuttlefish in general have a well-developed brain that can see, smell, and sense sound waves. The cuttlefish will change colors in response to its environment, either to lure in prey or avoid predators. Males may put on displays to attract a female. Some cuttlefish are able to go through mazes through use of visual cues.

Cuttlefish also have a well developed eye which can detect polarized light, but it is likely color-blind. Reshaping the eye allows it to focus on specific objects. ("Cephalopods: Color Change and Disguise", 2008; Kaufmann, 2007; Norman, 2007)

Cuttlefish are carnivorous animals. They feed primarily on crustaceans and bony fish. The beak is used to capture prey. (Kaufmann, 2007; Reid, 2005)

In general, cuttlefish are preyed upon by seals, dolphins and fish. When Metasepia pfefferi is threatened, it quickly change its colors through the manipulation of its chromatophores. It creates black, white and yellow patches on its dark brown skin and turns the tips of its arms bright red. These bright colors are used to warn other creatures of its venomous nature. It will keep this color pattern while waving its protective arm membranes, until it no longer feels threatened. Cuttlefish in general will secrete ink to disorient a predator and escape. (Reid, 2005; Reid, 2005; "Cephalopods: Color Change and Disguise", 2008)

Metasepia pfefferi is a predatory animal. It helps to keep fish and crustacean population sizes in check. (Reid, 2005)

Currently, there are no known positive effects of Metasepia pfefferi on humans. However, it has recently been discovered that the venom it possesses is of a new class that may possibly have uses in medicine. (Norman, 2007)

Metasepia pfefferi is one of only three known venomous species of cephalopods. The venom that M. pfefferi contains is shown to have similar lethal effects as that of the blue-ringed octopus, Hapolochlaena maculosa. The venom is very toxic and it may possibly be able to quickly kill an adult human. (Norman, 2007)

There has been little or no research into the status of Metasepia pfefferi in the wild.