Cuttlefish are about 15 centimeters long. The body consists of a bag which has a fin down either side. The cuttlefish has the amazing ability of changing color according to its surroundings. Its skin has cells that contain pigments, or dyes, which the animal uses to blend in with its back ground. For this reason it is also known as the sea chameleon.
Cuttlefish swim slowly along the sea bed, delicately exploring the sands with their two writhing tentacles which they use to catch their victims.

Like all cephalopods (from the Greek meaning ‘feet attached to the head’), these fish have their heads surrounded by eight little arms fitted with suckers. They move through the water rather like jet airplanes, by shooting water through a special funnel.

Sepia is obtained from the ink sacs of cuttlefish and is used as drawing ink and as a watercolor.

Cuttlefish are eaten in many countries. They form an important fishery in China and large numbers are tinned in Spain and Portugal. They have also been eaten since early times in Greece and Italy.