Dive sites1
Marine life profile
Common Cuttlefish
Recorded at 1 dive sitesWhere divers encounter it
Explore Common Cuttlefish around the world
The common cuttlefish or European common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) is one of the largest and best-known cuttlefish species. Curious but cautious, it investigates with its eyes and arms, then vanishes into cover when the encounter becomes too close.
Countries1
Animal groupCephalopods
Safety profileGenerally Harmless
Meet the species
What to look for
How to Recognize It
Look for expressive eyes, a soft shape-changing body and arms arranged around a compact head.
How It Behaves
Curious but cautious, it investigates with its eyes and arms, then vanishes into cover when the encounter becomes too close.
Special Ability
Color, skin texture and body shape can change in moments, creating one of the ocean's fastest visual disguises.
Dive responsibly
Share the water well
How to Approach
Move slowly, stay low and let curiosity bring it closer. Avoid bright lights, sudden movements and reaching into its shelter.
Safety
Observe without touching. Some species can bite or carry potent venom, and every individual needs an unobstructed escape route.
Worth knowing
The detail you remember
Interesting Facts
They are a migratory species that spend the summer and spring inshore for spawning and then move to depths of 100–200 metres (330–660 ft) during autumn and winter.
Where to Find
Check rocky crevices, rubble, reef ledges, seagrass and sandy bottoms, especially near dawn, dusk or during night dives.
Known countries
Indonesia
Sightings map
Common Cuttlefish locations
Plan a dive
Dive sites with reported encounters
Area Perlindungan Laut (APL)
Indonesia
This dive site used to be protected area therefore you can find group of transplant coral in 5 meters. The bottom topography is sloppy and coral with some sand patches.