Sepia prashadi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sepia prashadi |
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Sepia
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prashadi
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The hooded cuttlefish, also known as Sepia prashadi, is a type of cuttlefish found in many parts of the world. It has a slim, oval body and can grow up to 11 centimeters (about 4 inches) long. Its tentacles have special club-shaped tips. This cuttlefish likes to live near the bottom of shallow waters, about 40 to 50 meters (130 to 165 feet) deep. It is a migratory animal, meaning it moves around a lot. You can find it in places like the east coast of Africa, around India, and in the Red Sea.
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What Does the Hooded Cuttlefish Look Like?
This species was first described in 1936 by a scientist named Ronald Winckworth.
The hooded cuttlefish has a body that is long, thin, and oval-shaped. Its main body part, called the mantle, usually grows between 5 and 11 centimeters (2 to 4 inches) long. It has arms that get thinner towards the ends and fins that are a medium width.
The tips of its tentacles are wide and shaped like clubs. These clubs have many small suckers arranged in rows. Some of these suckers are larger than others. A special feature of this cuttlefish is its cuttlebone, which is pink on the top. This pink color makes it easy to tell apart from other cuttlefish.
Where Does the Hooded Cuttlefish Live?
The hooded cuttlefish is found in many different places, mostly in the Indian Ocean. It lives along the east coast of Africa and around Madagascar. You can also find it in the waters near India, in the Bay of Bengal, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Andaman Sea. This cuttlefish is native to almost two dozen countries!
The Hooded Cuttlefish's Home
This cuttlefish is a demersal species, which means it lives near the bottom of the ocean. It prefers shallow waters, usually at depths of about 40 to 50 meters (130 to 165 feet).
The hooded cuttlefish is known to migrate, meaning it moves from one area to another at different times of the year. For example, in northeastern India, you might see the most hooded cuttlefish between January and June. However, in some years, they are most common from October to December. In southern India, like near Chennai, they are more common between January and April. They often become more numerous when deep ocean water rises to the surface, bringing nutrients.
How the Hooded Cuttlefish Behaves
Male hooded cuttlefish perform different displays to attract females. After the males have mated, they usually die. Females also die after they have laid their eggs and watched over them.
Some people who dive say that hooded cuttlefish can be quite curious and confident around them. They might act more friendly than squid or octopus sometimes.
What the Hooded Cuttlefish Eats
Scientists have studied hooded cuttlefish caught near Mumbai, India. They found that these cuttlefish mainly eat prawns.
Hooded Cuttlefish and Humans
People catch hooded cuttlefish in places like the Red Sea and off the northeast coast of India. They are often caught by large fishing boats called trawlers. Sometimes, they are also caught by accident as bycatch in smaller amounts. These accidental catches are not always counted in fishing records.
In 2005, a study in the Gulf of Suez suggested that the hooded cuttlefish was not being fished as much as it could be. However, we don't know exactly how many hooded cuttlefish there are because not many studies have been done. It's important to fish carefully in some areas to make sure there are enough cuttlefish for the future.
Threats to the Hooded Cuttlefish
One big threat to all cuttlefish, including the hooded cuttlefish, is ocean acidification. This happens when there is more carbon dioxide in the air, which then gets absorbed by the ocean. This makes the ocean water more acidic.
When the ocean becomes more acidic, cuttlefish might grow a denser cuttlebone. A denser cuttlebone could make it harder for them to control how they float in the water, which could be bad for them.
