The cuttlefish is a mollusc belonging to the cephalopod group, alongside octopuses and squids. The most common species in the Mediterranean Sea is the common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis), which has several unique characteristics. Like other cuttlefish, it defends itself by spraying a cloud of ink into the water to disorientate predators and make itself disappear. Cuttlefish are highly adaptable and can quickly change colour depending on their environment. This colour change takes place thanks to chromatophores: particular cells that contain pigments. The change in shades occurs through the concentration or expansion of these pigments inside the cells. Cuttlefish have eight arms surrounding their mouths and two long appendages with suction cups. Inside the body is a shell commonly called a cuttlefish bone.

Cuttlefish live on the sandy seabed at greater depths during the winter, but in spring they come closer to the coast and enter lagoons to lay their eggs. These are attached to vegetation, different supports and even fishermen’s nets! The colour of the eggs depends on the amount of ink the mother deposited in the shell: they can be black or almost transparent. Finally, a miniature cuttlefish emerges from the egg.

The cuttlefish is a highly valuable commercial species, caught both at sea and in lagoons depending on the season.