Vardhan Patankar
( Sepia pharaonis )
Live in fairly shallow waters and are regularly spotted at depths between 10-40 m.
The pharaoh cuttlefish, in no relation to the ones from anicent Egypt, grow up to about 40 cm in length. Like other cuttlefish they have the ability to change colour and texture of their skin by contracting muscles around tiny, coloured skin cells called chromatophores. However, their resting colour is usually a dark brown to a pale white colour.
They usually come to shallow waters in the night to feed on crustaceans and other small fish while hiding away during the day.
Vardhan Patankar
( Octopus cyanea )
You can find them in and around reefs in shallow waters.
The day octopus have bodies that can grow up to 16 cm in length while having arms that can extend to about 80 cm! These species are referred to as the 'day' octopus because they usually feed during the day and due to this, their ability to camoflauge is brilliant. They are usually brown in colour but are able to change colour and texture fast to match their environment as they move.
In terms of their diet, they can be seen feeding on small fish, crabs and shrimp.
Joydeep Sarkar
Joydeep Sarkar
( Amphioctopus marginatus )
Reside in sandy areas in bays and lagoons. They often bury themseles in the sand with their eyes poking out at a maximum depth of about 100 m.
The veined octopus can grow up to 15 cm long and are referred to as so due to their pattern of branching dark lines resembling veins. Their background colour can vary from dark red to brownish in colour and have white suckers that stand out from the rest of the body. These octopus are known to use seashells and coconut shells for shelter.
The feed on shrimp, crabs and clams.
Joydeep Sarkar
( Euprymna berryi )
Spotted from the surface to about 100 m in depth, preferring sandy areas.
A small squid with the males growing up to about 3 cm and the females growing up to about 5 cm with a small and round body. The background body colour of the berry bobtail is translucent with several tiny dark spots that range in colour from blue to green or black called 'chromatophores' which are the cells that allow them to change colour and hence usually appear bluish in colour to the viewer. An interesting feature of this species is an organ near the gills that exhibits bioluminescents that lure in prey.
The feed on small crustaceans that move along the sand or ocean floor.
Joydeep Sarkar
( Sepioteuthis lessoniana )
Found in waters from 1-100 m near the shoreline along rocks and reefs. They have also been found on seagrass beds, mostly active in the night.
A medium sized squid, reaching a maximum length of about 33 cm. They have pear shaped body and wide fins that extend along the entire body length and hence sometimes are confused with cuttlefish. They have the ability to change body colour but usually, their colour patterns include black bands to almost completely transparent with dark spots.
Small fish and crustaceans make up majority of their diet.