The Common Cuttlefish is not a fish like its name suggests, but a ‘cephalopod’ . A cephalopod is a fast-swimming mollusc that has suckered tentacles attached to its head, just like the Lesser Octopus and the Common Squid. It can be found in inshore shallow waters throughout England during the summer months.

The Common Cuttlefish can reach a length of thirty centimetres and has about ten suckered tentacles with two of the tentacles being longer for seizing food. Its head is quite large and its body is broad and flattened which is ideal when this cuttlefish wants to rest on the seabed. It has large eyes with ‘W’ shaped black pupils. It also has an internal body shell known as the ‘cuttlebone’.  Cuttlebones can often be seen washed up on our shores.

The Common Cuttlefish can swim backwards when it is in danger and it can also release a sort of ink-type dark fluid from its body when it feels very threatened. The inky fluid makes the water dark which confuses any predator. During the predator's confusion the Cuttlefish quickly escapes to safety. The Common Cuttlefish feeds on crabs, molluscs and small fish.