A pair of broadclub cuttlefish (Sepia latimanus) during a mating
Nikonos RS SLR camera; Nikonos 50mm objective and Rene Aumann UW Services X2 teleconverter; two Nikonos S-105 strobes; Ektachrome VS film; ; 1/30s; TTL. Taken at: 24m depth; diving from MS. FeBrina. Trip organised by Chris Newbert of RS Tours. Shot on: 07:30 13th March 2005; sunny, no current. While waiting for some photo opportunities I was shown four pairs of mating cuttlefish. The Sepia latimanus, also known as the Broadclub Cuttlefish, is commonly found from the Andaman Sea, east to Fiji, and south to northern Australia. It is the most common cuttlefish species on coral reefs,and can live at depths of up to 30 m. The Broadclub Cuttlefish is the second largest cuttlefish species after the Sepia apama. It can reach 50 cm in mantle length and up to a whopping10 kg in weight. The cuttlefish inhabits coral reefs as well as rubble areas. Like many cephalopods, the Broadclub can be seen displaying a range of colors and textures. It is known to prey on shrimp and prawns. They appear to mesmerize prey by using its rhythmic colored bands. It has often been spotted laying eggs half the size of golf balls in tightly woven coral. When hunting, the cuttlefish extends two clasping tentacles to catch prey.
Size: 8252px × 5315px
Location: Observation Point, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea.
Photo credit: © Malcolm Ross / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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