Giant cuttlefish

Photo: Mafia Island Diving · © all rights reserved

The broadclub cuttlefish is the largest cuttlefish in the world and the signature macro subject of Stone Town Reefs, hunting at dusk along the outer slope with hypnotic rippling colour displays that simultaneously camouflage the animal and mesmerise its prey. They are cephalopod masters of distributed intelligence — their neurons are spread throughout their arms and skin, allowing each arm to act semi-autonomously. Males engage in elaborate iridescent skin displays to attract females, and divers can watch complete courtship sequences during the October to December breeding peak.