This week in Lembeh we have been seeing the flashy flamboyant cuttlefish on numerous dive sites. Enough to a point where some photographers no longer turn on their cameras for them. That’s saying something….

The Flamboyant Cuttlefish is one cephalopod that ranks very high on many divers “must see” list. Though for the lucky divers of Lembeh, it can be quite a common sight. Known for its flashy display of colors, this little guy loves to wander along the sea floor in search for the next meal. Due to a small cuttlebone, preventing it from floating for long periods of time, the flamboyant ‘walks’ along in a slow but purposeful manner. Due to its slow pace and flashy display, it’s a great subject for photographers looking to get that perfect shot.

Having the same ability, as other cuttlefish, to camouflage in an instant to help the hunting process, for protection they much prefer a colorful display of reds/yellow/purple/white/black. This indicates to predators of the poison within. They are one of the very few cephalopods known to be poisonous, carrying toxins rivaling the Blue Ringed Octopus in its muscles.

After a lovely courtship, the female flamboyant lays her fertilized eggs in a den, most commonly seen as a half coconut shell. Here the eggs are left alone to hatch. The eggs have a white/translucent color to them and the babies can easily be seen developing. Even before hatching they display the same color patterns of a fully developed adult. Living only about a year, these cephalopods truly are a wonder to be seen.

We have also been seeing; hairy and shaggy frogfish, Bargibanti/Denise/Pontohi pygmy seahorses, fingered dragonets, hairy octopus, mimic octopus, and much more. It’s been a great week.