Hooded Cuttlefish

Sepia prashadi, common name hooded cuttlefish, is a widely distributed species of cuttlefish. It has a thin, oval body and grows from 5 to 11 cm. The tips of the tentacles have a distinct club shape. Sepia prashadi is a migratory, demersal cuttlefish living in shallow waters at depths of approximately 40 to 50 metres. It is found in many locations including the east coast of Africa, around 🇮🇳 India, in the 🌊 Red Sea, and 🌊 Persian Gulf.

The species was first reported in 1936 by Ronald Winckworth. The common mantle of this species grows from 5 to 11 cm. It has an elongate, thin, oval body. It has tapering, subequal arms, and fins of medium width. At the end of the tentacles are broad, short, club shapes. There is a series of suckers on these clubs that are organized into eight oblique transverse rows. These suckers are of different sizes with three being enlarged on the third series. The dorsal surface of the cuttle bone is pink, making it highly distinct. Off Mumbai, 🇮🇳 India, the dorsal mantle lengths measured from 55 to 95 mm.

Sepia prashadi is very widely distributed, chiefly in the 🌊 Indian Ocean. It is found all along the east coast of Africa, around 🇲🇬 Madagascar, the waters of 🇮🇳 India, the Bay of Bengal, in the 🌊 Red Sea, 🌊 Persian Gulf, 🌊 Gulf of Oman, and in the Andaman Sea. It is native to almost two dozen countries.

This is a demersal species that lives in shallow waters at depths of roughly 40 meters to 50 meters. It is migratory as evidenced by a very notable seasonal occurrence pattern. In the waters of northeastern 🇮🇳 India the greatest numbers are seen between January and June. However, during some years it is most abundant between October and December. In more southern 🇮🇳 Indian waters such as those of Chennai, it occurs in greater numbers between January and April. It becomes abundant during times when there is an upwelling of deep water.

Males exhibit various displays to attract females for coitus. While copulating, female is held by male, which puts his hectocotylus in the female's mantle cavity. Fertilization is the common outcome. Males die shortly after spawning. Females die after brooding. Hooded cuttlefish may act more curious and confident around divers compared to the behavior of squid or octopus.

Analysis of specimens off the coast of Mumbai showed that they were feeding mainly on prawns.