Animal Profiles
Molluscs

Bigfin Reef Squid

Sepioteuthis lessoniana

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The bigfin reef squid lives in warm coastal waters around reefs and seagrass. Broad fins and rapid skin-pattern changes distinguish this active predator.

Sepioteuthis lessoniana

Diego Delso · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Warm Indo-Pacific coastal waters, around reefs, seagrass beds, rocks and sandy seabeds.
Habitat
Coast, Coral reef
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Fish, molluscs and other marine invertebrates.

Classification

Common name
Bigfin Reef Squid
Browse group
Molluscs
Scientific name or taxon
Sepioteuthis lessoniana
Taxon rank
species
Order
Myopsida
Family
Loliginidae
Genus
Sepioteuthis
Source classification
Cephalopoda

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Its broad fins give it a cuttlefish-like outline.
  • Skin pigment cells change colour and pattern.
  • It can release ink when threatened.

Habitat and range

Warm Indo-Pacific coastal waters, around reefs, seagrass beds, rocks and sandy seabeds.

Appearance and adaptations

A pair of broad fins runs beside the mantle. Pigmented skin cells change the pattern, and an ink sac provides another defence.

Diet and behaviour

It uses feeding tentacles to seize prey and a beak to break it apart. Shallow nighttime feeding alternates with deeper water or shelter by day.

Sources

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