Data Deficient· population trend unknown· assessed 2012

Pharaoh Cuttlefish

Sepia pharaonis

Sighting evidence at Bandar Khayran, Muscat

The Arabian Sea's largest cuttlefish, frequently encountered patrolling the reef edge at Bandar Khayran where it ambushes crabs and small fish with lightning-fast tentacle strikes. Males display rapid chromatic rippling patterns to court females and warn rival males during the cooler breeding season. Their internal cuttlebone provides buoyancy control with extraordinary precision.

Evidence at this site

1 record within 25 km

Confidence: low

Last confirmed Jun 2025

Seasonality

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

How is this calculated?

Sighting evidence is compiled from iNaturalist observation records within a set proximity radius, filtered for quality-grade observations. “Last confirmed” is the date of the most recent research-grade record. Record count covers a rolling 24-month window. Confidence reflects record count, recency, and consistency of seasonal signal.

Also seen at other sites

Dutch Bay Wall→