Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Anilao, Philippines

Despite its name, the flamboyant cuttlefish (Metasepia pfefferi) is not a fish, but a cephalopod. Due to the short size of its cuttle bone, the flamboyant cannot swim; instead it walks along the ocean floor, floating occasionally. This species of cuttlefish grows to only 6-8 cm/3.1-2.4 inches. It waves its arms to scare off predators and rapidly changes colors in what looks much like a scrolling billboard. The flamboyant is also the only cuttlefish believed to be poisonous. Here is one we encountered while diving in Anilao, Philippines. Red more in our post, Biodiversity from the Muck to the Reef: Scuba Diving Anilao, Philippines.