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Free-living type of mollusc that inhabits shallow water
Scientific Name: Sepia pharaonis
Common Name: Pharaoh Cuttlefish
Dimensions: It can reach a length of 42 cm (mantle only), excluding the tentacles Body weight up to at least 5 kg
Medium: model
Registration Number: RPN.2018.0135.1
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The Pharaoh cuttlefish is a mollusk with a free-living lifestyle, characterized by a sizable head with prominent eyes and eight arms equipped with suckers. Male Pharaoh cuttlefish also possess two additional arms, known as hectocotylus arms, used for transferring sperm during mating. The body is supported by a cuttlebone located above the mantle cavity. Its typical appearance features shimmering horizontal blue bands. However, like other cephalopods, this species can rapidly change its coloration for purposes such as camouflage, communication, expressing emotions, and engaging in courtship rituals.
Habitat and Biology
Pharaoh cuttlefish is commonly found in shallow waters, typically ranging between 10 and 40 metres deep, although it has been observed as deep as 130 metres. During nighttime hunting, it moves to shallower regions to feed on various small fish, crabs, and occasionally other cuttlefish. In response to danger, it releases a cloud of ink from its funnel to confuse potential predators, allowing it to swim backward. The fringed side fins aid in both backward swimming and regular swimming. This cuttlefish prefers warm waters, around 30°C, and exhibits rapid growth. Its spawning season occurs from February to April in the northern Gulf and from September to December further south in the Gulf of Oman. For reproduction, females attach white-yellowish eggs to surfaces such as plants and shells.
ECO System Qatar
Sea Grass: Seagrass grows on the seabed, creating underwater meadows that play a crucial role in supporting Gulf ecosystems. These habitats offer shelter to young shrimp, oysters, and various species, serving as a vital food source for many marine creatures. The roots of seagrasses contribute to stabilizing the sandy seabed, protecting it from erosion. Given the high salt levels and extreme temperature variations in the Arabian Gulf, only a few seagrass species can thrive. In Qatar, seagrasses are essential for stabilizing the seabed against wave action and other erosional forces.
PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH
Bosch D., Dance P., Moolenbeek R. and Oliver G. (1995) Sea shells of eastern Arabia. Dubai: Motative Publishing. http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/255659.pdf