This little cuttlefish really lives up to its name - it only reaches about 6cm long!
Species information
Statistics
Length: Up to 6cm
Conservation status
Common
When to see
January to December
About
The little cuttlefish is a small, cup-shaped cephalopod with large eye bulges. They are in fact a type of bobtail squid, rather than a true cuttlefish, and don't have a cuttlebone. They spend much of their time buried in sandy seabeds with only their eyes exposed, on the look out for predators and their favourite prey - little crustaceans. Like common cuttlefish, they are able to change colour using the chromatophores in their skin. They most often appear a paleish white with brown and black splodges - enabling them to blend in with their sandy home.
How to identify
A very small cuttlefish with a rounded cup-like body and protrusive eyes. Normally pale with brown and white blotchy markings, but changes colour when disturbed. Eye bulges sometimes tinged green.
Distribution
Found off all UK coasts.
Did you know?
If disturbed, little cuttlefish release a jet of ink and will change their colouration to pale to confuse the predator and make their escape.