A courting pair of European Cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis.
The male (foreground) is guarding the female (background) from other males in this tank system. These are fully mature animals (20-22cm ML) at about one year of age.
Head on view of the European cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis.
Note the
protrusions from the skin of the mantle. These are called 'papillae' and cuttlefish use them to change the texture of their skin in perfecting their camouflage.
Lab laid eggs of the European Cuttlefish, Sepia officinalis.
Eggs typically are opaque black due to the female coating them with ink, but occasionally un-inked eggs are laid and the embryos are plainly visible inside. Egg diameter is about 1.5cm.
