Mollusks have been known to mankind since time immemorial, but many people still associate them with formless substances. What does a cuttlefish really look like, where does it live and what does it eat?

Appearance

The cuttlefish is a member of the cephalopod order, which includes squid and octopuses. The structure of her body is oval, slightly flattened. The main part is the mantle, which is a bag of muscles and skin.

The role of the skeleton is performed by a wide calcareous shell. It is located inside the body of the cephalopod and protects the vital organs from damage. The plates in the shell have cavities, due to which the weight of the mollusks decreases, they swim freely. The shape of the fins is fused - it seems that the body is bordered by one continuous fin.

Males and females of sea cuttlefish in the pictures look almost the same - they are distinguished by patterns on the body, and even then not always. Males use the ability of the skin to change color and disguise themselves as representatives of the opposite sex.

The eyes of cephalopods are large and slit-like. Under them are special pockets in which trapping tentacles are hidden. Representatives sea ​​world they are released only during the attack, and the prey is crushed by a beak hidden between the tentacles. At rest, the beak is not visible.

The cuttlefish has 10 legs - 2 long traps with suckers at the ends and 8 short ones. On short tentacles, suckers are arranged in 4 rows.

Ink

The ink sac is a special organ. It produces ink in much greater quantities than other members of the cephalopod order. Structurally, it looks like a capsule divided into two compartments. In one compartment there are cells filled with grains from dyes. Mature cells burst - ink flows out and accumulates in the second chamber. An empty bag needs 30-40 minutes to recover.

Invertebrate ink is valued not only in cooking - it is used as the basis for expensive sepia paint. Sepia written many masterpieces of past centuries.

Individuals are afraid of rustles, people, movements. Over time, they get used to the person, show curiosity, swimming closer and looking at him. But when frightened, they release ink into the water - this is one of the reasons for the problematic maintenance of mollusks in home aquariums. Colored water becomes opaque, dark.

Dimensions

Against the background of the rest of the class, they seem small:

  • The usual size is 20-30 cm.
  • The smallest - 2 cm, a world record among molluscs.
  • The largest measured cuttlefish is 1.5 m. Its weight reaches 10 kg.

Coloring

It is immediately difficult to determine what color a cuttlefish is - it, like octopuses, changes it. In the skin of invertebrates there are special cells - chromatophores. They are filled with multi-colored pigment.

The brain controls these cells by sending them signals. Smart individuals change shades instantly - it seems that the process occurs automatically. In fact, tentacled chameleons do this deliberately - for camouflage, before an attack, during the breeding season.

Environment and habitat features

The habitat of invertebrates is shallow water in the tropics and subtropics off the coast of Eurasia and Africa. They dive shallowly, trying to move along the coast. The detachments live in one place, but sometimes migrate - a few years ago, scientists discovered a striped individual off the coast of Australia.

At the sight of prey, cuttlefish freeze for a moment, and then abruptly and with lightning speed pounce on the victim.

Representatives of this class are promiscuous in food - they eat fish, shrimp, other marine life which are smaller than them. Their weaker relative can become a victim.

reproduction

Average duration cuttlefish life - up to 2 years. During this time they reproduce once. IN mating season mollusks are removed from their place in search of a comfortable place for laying eggs. As soon as the female lays them, she dies.

Eggs will hatch into well-formed fry with ink and a developed instinct for self-preservation. Sensing danger, they, like adult males, lie down on the bottom and try to cover themselves with sand.

Titles: Giant cuttlefish, Australian giant cuttlefish.

Area: waters around the south coast of Australia - New South Wales, parts of Tasmania to Ningaloo, Western Australia.

Description: The giant cuttlefish is the largest of all cuttlefish species. The vision is sharp, because The eyes are structurally similar to those of a human. Can change the shape of the lens. Some individuals are colorblind. The mouth consists of a beak (similar to a parrot), jaws, and a rough tongue. The body of the cuttlefish is oval (up to 25 cm long), flattened. Fins are located on the sides in the form of a narrow bony rim, which stretches along the entire body. At the rear end of the body, the fins are separated. The inner shell is calcareous (up to 60 cm long), in the form of a wide plate, located under the mantle on the back. Grasping tentacles are long, fully retracted into special sac-like fossae; the other eight "arms" are short, surrounding the mouth and beak. "Hands" are equipped with suction cups. The fourth left "hand" of males differs in its structure and serves for fertilization. Male cuttlefish are larger than females. Three hearts. The central nervous system is highly developed. The protective function is performed by the ink sac - a pear-shaped outgrowth of the rectum, filled with a liquid containing a black pigment. The coloring power of this liquid is unusually high, for example, in 5 seconds it colors water in a tank with a capacity of up to 5.5 thousand liters. The blood of the giant cuttlefish is blue-green.

Color: depends on mood (stress, readiness for reproduction, fear) and environment. The cuttlefish changes color very quickly, which is why the cuttlefish is called the "sea chameleon". This is due to the presence in their skin of cells with various pigments, which, under the influence of impulses from the central nervous system stretch or shrink, depending on the perception of the senses. At the moment of extreme excitement (courtship period, attack on prey), the body of the cuttlefish begins to cast a metallic sheen, and the back is covered with many luminous points.

Size: up to 1-1.5 m in length.

Weight: about 15 kg.

Lifespan: 2-3 years.

Habitat: coastal waters of tropical and subtropical seas (reefs, algae, caves). Depth range 0-50 meters. The giant cuttlefish keeps near the bottom, hides on the ground, throwing sand or silt on its back and changing the color of the back.

Enemies: seals, rays, sharks, dolphins, fish, other cuttlefish.

Food/food: the cuttlefish is an intelligent hunter, ambushing or using its tentacles to lure prey. Hunts at night for crustaceans (small crabs, shrimps), small mollusks (snails, molluscs), fish, other cuttlefish, worms.

Behavior: leads a demeanor lifestyle. During the day, the cuttlefish hides in caves and among seaweed. It crawls along the ground with the help of "arms", swims with the help of fins, swims quickly, throwing water out of the mantle (jet propulsion). Territorial, in most cases spends its entire life in the same area. Responds to stressful situations individually: while some become aggressive, others remain calm, while others show panic. Can learn from his fellows. There is a pronounced attraction to the game. The cuttlefish is extremely curious and is attracted to bright colors.

Social structure: solitary, coming together only during the breeding season.

Reproduction: once a year adult Australian cuttlefish migrate to the rocky reefs of South Australia. Sex ratio (males:females) - 4:1, maximum - 11:1. The density of giant cuttlefish during the breeding season is 85 individuals per 100 m 2. During this period, males are painted in a mating outfit: black with white stripes. Aggressive large males do not allow young or smaller males to approach females. Therefore, small males, using their size, pretend to be females, changing the color of the body and thereby misleading large males. When they are distracted, small males again change color, mate with females and hastily hide. Fertilization is internal - the male captures his spermatophore and transfers it to the female's mantle cavity, located under the mouth. The average duration of mating in cuttlefish is 2.4 minutes. Before transferring the spermatophore to the female, the male, throwing water out of his mantle, washes out her mantle cavity in order to remove the spermatophores of other males. Fertilized eggs (in a thick shell) are attached by the female to underwater objects. For the whole season, the female can lay up to 200 eggs. The eggs are round, up to 2 cm in diameter, up to 3 cm long. Parents do not protect the eggs. At the end of the breeding season, the female usually dies.

Season/breeding period: April-August.

courtship ritual: during mating, the male performs a dance: he waves his "arms" and shimmers with bright colors.

Incubation: 3-5 months, depending on water temperature.

Offspring: newborn Australian cuttlefish reach a length of up to 2.54 cm. The young look like adults. Feeds on plankton.

Benefit / harm to humans: the giant cuttlefish is a subject of trade - its meat is eaten. The secret of the ink gland is used in painting. The cuttlefish shell is used by jewelers (as a casting mold). Whole or ground shells are added to bird feed to meet calcium and other mineral requirements (chickens, canaries, budgerigars), as well as for grinding beaks.

Population/Conservation Status: Fishing for cuttlefish is prohibited in Australia during the breeding season.

  • Cuttlefish: content in the aquarium

    Literature:
    1. Edgar, G. J., (2000) Australian Marine Life, Reed New Holland.
    2. Large Soviet Encyclopedia. I.M. Likharev
    3. Brockhaus F.A., Efron I.A. encyclopedic Dictionary
    4. American Museum of Natural History

    Compiler : , copyright holder: portal Zooclub
    When reprinting this article, an active link to the source is MANDATORY, otherwise, the use of the article will be considered a violation of the "Law on Copyright and Related Rights".

    • Sea chameleon - this is another name for cuttlefish. And this name was not given to the mollusk by chance. Within 1-2 seconds, she is able to change her color to almost any color, moreover, with any pattern. But for a person, it is not at all useful for this.

    What is cuttlefish

    Cuttlefish is a variety cephalopods, that is, it belongs to the same family as . Moreover, it is the oldest representative of this family. Unlike other representatives of cephalopods, there is a lamellar shell inside the cuttlefish on the dorsal part of the carcass. On each of its ten tentacles is located in rows a large number of suckers that help the mollusk capture its prey. Sea chameleons feed on small fish and crustaceans. They go hunting preferably at night.

    This mollusc is commonly found in tropical and subtropical waters. Cuttlefish - prefer shallow water in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans. You can often see these creatures along the coasts. South Africa, Japan and Australia. Experts talk about the existence of over 100 varieties of cuttlefish. The most famous and most numerous among them is the pharaoh's sepia, which is found in the north of the Indian Ocean.

    The cuttlefish is one of the most colorful creatures that inhabit the waters of the ocean. Several colors are combined on her body at once: brown on the dorsal part, light colors on the abdomen, greenish on the tentacles, purple on the fins. But depending on the environment, the color of the mollusk can vary significantly.

    Sea chameleons almost never grow larger than 50 cm, but they can weigh more than 10 kilograms. Although there are also very small representatives - no more than 2 cm.

    Defending itself from enemies, this mollusk releases a dark-colored substance called ink. This brown liquid creates an impenetrable curtain in the water, allowing the cuttlefish to hide. By the way, this substance has been used by man since ancient times as paint or ink for writing.

    Cuttlefish meat is a traditional component of Mediterranean and Asian cuisines. It tastes like squid or octopus, but more tender. It is rich in nutrients, but compared to other marine inhabitants, the body of a marine chameleon is more likely to absorb harmful substances from the water.

    Chemical composition and nutritional value

    Cuttlefish is an excellent source of protein, essential amino acids and minerals. 100 g of raw product contains no more than 80 kilocalories (boiled - about 160 kcal) and almost a quarter of daily allowance sodium.

    Clam meat is a delicacy that contains almost no carbohydrates and fats. But despite the extremely low proportion of fat in chemical composition, this product contains an impressive amount of essential fatty acids, in particular eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. Thanks to this, cuttlefish is considered a product that is useful for the heart and blood vessels, in particular for the prevention of arrhythmias, clogged arteries, and high blood pressure.

    Protein

    As already mentioned, cuttlefish is a product that is extremely rich in proteins. 100 grams of meat contains almost 55 percent of the daily protein requirement. And this suggests that the seafood is an excellent source, necessary for the restoration and formation of cells. In the meat of this clam different quantities contains all 9 essential amino acids.

    vitamins

    Just one serving of cuttlefish has more than 190% of the daily value of vitamin B12. This unique vitamin is indispensable for humans, as it is necessary for the creation of DNA cells, red blood cells, and also supports neurological health. Besides, sea ​​chameleon- a real storehouse of vitamin B2 (contains more than 100% of the daily value), which is responsible for the health of the skin and eyes, and also contributes to proper metabolism. Almost a quarter of your daily vitamin A intake can also be obtained from just a 100-gram serving of cuttlefish meat. And this nutrient is the main substance responsible for vision. In addition, sufficient intake of vitamin A is the health of the skin, mucous membranes, bones and teeth. With antioxidant properties, this vitamin found in seafood prevents heart disease, cell mutation, and repairs damage caused by free radicals.

    Minerals

    Seafood is an excellent choice for replenishing minerals in the body. A serving of cuttlefish contains almost 140% of the daily intake of selenium. This mineral, getting into the body, as a result of certain chemical reactions combines with proteins, forming selenoproteins - substances with powerful antioxidant abilities. Selenium, among other things, has essential for thyroid health and strengthening the immune system.

    Another important mineral found in cuttlefish meat is large quantities, is iron. This suggests that eating seafood can improve oxygen circulation in the body, as well as support healthy cell growth.

    Cholesterol

    And the only minus of cuttlefish meat is cholesterol. A serving of this product contains almost 63% of the daily cholesterol requirement. But we must recall that cholesterol in food is not always a bad thing. This substance is necessary for the body to maintain healthy skin, regulate hormonal background, digestive production and synthesizing . However, excessive consumption of cholesterol-rich foods can lead to fatty deposits in the arteries, which in turn impair blood flow to the heart and brain, causing heart attacks or strokes.

    The nutritional value per 100 g
    158 kcal
    32.48 g
    1.4 g
    1.4 g
    61.12 g
    224 mg
    0.11 mg
    8.5 mg
    0.017 mg
    1.73 mg
    2.19 mg
    0.9 mg
    0.27 mg
    24 mcg
    5.4 mcg
    180 mg
    10.84 mg
    60 mg
    580 mg
    637 mg
    744 mg
    3.46 mg
    0.998 mg
    0.209 mg
    89.6 mcg

    Benefits for the body

    Like all seafood, cuttlefish is an excellent source of protein. Due to this, the consumption of shellfish in moderate portions has a good effect on the condition of muscles, hair, nails, skin, and improves the overall functioning of the body. But the useful properties of the product do not end there.

    It is useful to include cuttlefish in your diet for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. And all because this product is rich in selenium. As studies show, it is this substance that is most often lacking in the bodies of people with symptoms of the disease, and the restoration of mineral balance improves their well-being.

    Another useful property cuttlefish - reduce the frequency and duration of migraines. This ability of the seafood is explained by the presence of vitamin B2, which is abundant in cuttlefish meat.

    Due to the high concentration of phosphorus (which is not inferior to fish and shrimp in these indicators), cuttlefish are useful for strengthening bones and teeth.

    This seafood is also named in the list of useful for preventing strokes and heart attacks. Vitamin B12, found in cuttlefish, reduces homocysteine ​​levels, which is actually a factor that increases the risk of these diseases.

    Cuttlefish, as a source of vitamin B3, are also useful for regulating blood sugar levels. And thanks to the presence of zinc, this seafood is important for strengthening the immune system.

    Other Benefits of Cuttlefish Meat:

    • removes toxins;
    • improves metabolism;
    • regulates pressure;
    • improves blood circulation;
    • accelerates fat metabolism;
    • contributes more rapid healing wounds;
    • accelerates hair growth;
    • contributes to the proper functioning of brain cells;
    • stabilizes the work of the cardiosystem;
    • strengthens the immune system.

    Useful properties of ink

    Cuttlefish ink is often referred to as a superfood. As a result of several studies, it was found that this dark liquid contains many useful for of cardio-vascular system. In addition, the ink is a good source of iron, which makes this product useful for increasing hemoglobin, improving oxygen circulation.

    Cuttlefish ink is useful for the treatment of:

    • venous congestion;
    • constipation;
    • biliary tract dispersions;
    • migraine;
    • bronchitis;
    • eczema;
    • hemorrhoids;
    • disorders of the nervous system;
    • ovarian dysfunction;
    • vegetovascular dystonia;
    • insomnia.

    Useful properties of cuttlefish bone

    The inner shell of the cuttlefish also has some beneficial properties for humans. This bone is a porous, pumice-like plate. It is used in Chinese medicine to treat stomach and duodenal ulcers, as well as to stop bleeding, relieve asthma.

    Crushed bone is added to medicines to normalize the acidity of the stomach and heal ulcers. In dentistry, this material is used to stop bleeding after tooth extraction. There is also reason to believe that this material can be used in traumatology, in particular for the treatment of bone diseases.

    How to cook

    The smaller the cuttlefish, the more tender its meat. Small cuttlefish are considered the most delicious. Clams up to 300 g are well stewed and added to second courses. But small ones are especially valued - up to 20 g. Salads, snacks, small kebabs are prepared from them, and they are also added to pizza. Cuttlefish can be fried, stewed, baked, grilled, added to soups or stews. Fried clams are often served as an appetizer, added to salads or pasta. In Mediterranean cuisine, boiled cuttlefish are seasoned with olive oil or deep-fried, and the ink of this shellfish is used for sauces, pasta dishes or risotto. But in Japan and China, this delicacy can be fried, baked, dried and even marinated. But giving preference to fried seafood, one must be prepared for the fact that its calorie content, as well as the presence of cholesterol, will increase significantly.

    Sea chameleons are a product that is important to cut and cook properly. Inside each mollusk contains a sac filled with a dark liquid. It is often used in cooking, to add color to sauces or. But if you inadvertently pierce this bag, the ink will stain the carcass. Properly cooked clam stays white color, and tastes like octopus or squid meat with a nutty flavor. Boil cuttlefish for about half an hour over low heat. There are some secrets in frying cuttlefish: first with the tentacles up, then turn over.

    If you have to cook frozen cuttlefish, then you should first defrost it properly. For this, the mollusk is poured cold water. After complete defrosting, you can begin to cleanse. First, the bone, eyes, mouth and entrails are cut out. The silver ink bag is then carefully peeled off. You can either throw it away or use the brown liquid it contains to make spaghetti, risotto, or any other dish. The cleaned cuttlefish carcass is washed under running water and cooked in the chosen way.

    Seafood is one of the healthiest food categories. Shellfish, including cuttlefish, are a source of many useful components. In addition, a person can get some of them exclusively from seafood.

    Who is a sea cuttlefish? Hearing this question, an image of some formless and incomprehensible animal immediately appears before my eyes. Although perhaps knowledgeable people they wouldn’t talk like that about cuttlefish, because these animals can be incredibly beautiful, but they can’t be called shapeless at all. Cuttlefish belong to the class of cephalopods.

    Appearance of cuttlefish

    The body of the animal is elongated-oval and slightly flattened. The mantle forms the bulk of the body. The role of the skeleton is performed by the inner shell - and this is a feature that is unique to cuttlefish. The head and body are fused. The eyes are complex, they are located on the head of the mollusk. Even on the head of the cuttlefish there is something like a beak, this natural “adaptation” helps the mollusk a lot in obtaining food. Like many cephalopods, the cuttlefish has an ink sac.


    Broad-armed cuttlefish, or broad-armed sepia (Sepia latimanus) - the most large view these animals

    The mollusk has eight legs called tentacles. And each such tentacle is literally dotted with small suckers. On both sides of the body are fins, with the help of which the animal makes swimming movements.


    The size of the body of the animal is relatively small for representatives of the class of cephalopods. The average adult cuttlefish reaches a length of about 20 centimeters. There are larger cuttlefish, but these are only representatives of individual species.


    A notable feature of these mollusks is the ability to change the color of their body. Just like a chameleon! This process in cuttlefish is possible due to chromatophore cells located on the skin.


    Most famous species cuttlefish are:

    • common cuttlefish;
    • Wide-armed cuttlefish (this is the largest of all cuttlefish: its length is about 1.5 meters, and its weight is up to 10 kilograms);
    • Painted cuttlefish (the most attractive among these molluscs, but poisonous);
    • Striped cuttlefish (nicknamed "pajama cuttlefish", also highly venomous);
    • Pharaoh cuttlefish.

    Habitat of cuttlefish

    The habitats of these mollusks are located in tropical and subtropical zones the seas washing the shores of Africa and Eurasia (parts of the so-called "Old World"). However, striped cuttlefish have even been found off the coast of Australia.

    Lifestyle and behavior

    Cuttlefish are solitary molluscs. And only in the mating season they can be seen in groups. Occasionally, these animals are ready to migrate somewhere, but the majority live in one place all their lives.


    These clams are very cautious. They are very easy to scare. Usually behave calmly, prefer unhurried movement under water. The depth of residence is small - these animals always try to adhere to the coastline.

    Scientists believe that cuttlefish are one of the most intelligent representatives of invertebrates.

    What does cuttlefish eat

    Everything that is smaller than it in size and lives in the water falls on the "dining table" to the cuttlefish. The main food for these unusual animals are fish, crabs, shrimps, worms, and other shellfish.


    Reproduction of cuttlefish

    As for breeding offspring, cuttlefish have their own unique feature here: they breed only once in their entire life, after which they themselves die.

    The mating season is very interesting. Individuals gather in whole flocks and choose their partners. After the choice has been made, the marriage game. Males and females shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow, thus showing their mood and relationship with their partner. Males gently stroke their "bride" with tentacles, seeking her location.


    Striped cuttlefish (Sepioloidea lineolata) - another deadly poisonous species. It lives in the waters of Australia, for a specific color in English language also known as pajamas

    With the help of the tentacles of the male, male germ cells enter the body of the female. After some time, eggs are laid (then the moment of fertilization also occurs). Egg clutches are attached to underwater plants and are often black in color. After spawning is over, adult cuttlefish die.

    Cuttlefish is a mollusk belonging to the class of cephalopods. In the concept of people, it is associated with something nondescript and shapeless. In fact, cuttlefish are very beautiful.

    Appearance of animals

    The cuttlefish has an oval, slightly flattened body. The mantle (skin-muscular sac) forms its main part. The inner shell plays the role of a skeleton, and this distinguishing feature characteristic only of cuttlefish. It consists of a plate with internal cavities that provide buoyancy to the cuttlefish. The shell is located inside the body and protects the internal organs.

    The head and body of the mollusk are fused. The cuttlefish's eyes are very large and can zoom in, with the pupil controlling the light intensity. On the head of the cuttlefish there is something similar to a beak, with which the mollusk extracts and crushes food. And also, like numerous cephalopods, the cuttlefish has an ink pouch. This is a special organ, which is a dense capsule, divided into two parts. In one part there are ready-made ink, and in the other - special cells saturated with special grains with paint. During maturation, the cells are destroyed and ink is formed. The ink sac produces a huge amount of ink. An empty bag is restored in an average of half an hour.

    The most famous types:

    • pharaonic;
    • crucifying (the most beautiful and poisonous);
    • wide-armed (largest);
    • striped (very poisonous).

    The mollusk has eight tentacles and two anterior feelers. On each of them are small suction cups. The front tentacles are hidden in pockets under the eyes and are used in attacks on prey. Elongated fins are located on the sides of the body and help cuttlefish when moving.

    Description of cuttlefish, coloring

    A characteristic feature of these mollusks is the ability to change the color of their body. The color of cuttlefish is unusually diverse. This is possible thanks to skin chromatophore cells. The color change of the body occurs consciously, the chromatophores obey the brain. This process occurs instantly, and the impression is formed that everything happens automatically. Cuttlefish cells are filled with special pigments of different colors.

    In terms of the variety of colors, the complexity of the pattern and the speed of color change, the mollusk has no equal. Certain types of cuttlefish are able to luminesce. Color changes are applied when masking. patterns different forms carry certain information for relatives. The cuttlefish is one of the most intelligent species of invertebrates.

    Shellfish sizes

    Cuttlefish are relatively small compared to other cephalopods. The broad-armed sepia is the largest of the cuttlefish. Together with the tentacles, the body length is 1.5 m, and the weight is about 10 kg. However, most individuals are smaller, their length is no more than 20-30 cm. And there are also several types of completely small size- up to 2 cm, which are considered the smallest cephalopods in the world.

    area

    Where does the cuttlefish live? And it lives only in shallow water, in tropical and subtropical seas that wash the shores of Africa and Eurasia. However, the striped cuttlefish has also been found off the coast of Australia. Mollusks prefer to live alone, occasionally in small groups, and only during the breeding season do large clusters of cuttlefish form. During the mating season, they can move around, but, as a rule, lead a settled life.

    Mollusks swim shallowly, adhere to the coastline. Seeing the prey, the cuttlefish freeze for a second, and then quickly overtake the victim. When danger arises, the molluscs lie on the bottom and try to cover themselves with sand with their fins. Cuttlefish is a very cautious and shy mollusk.

    Cuttlefish nutrition

    From time to time, large individuals are able to eat smaller counterparts. This is not due to an aggressive nature, but to a greater extent due to food promiscuity.

    Shellfish eat almost everything that moves and does not exceed their own size. They feed on fish, crabs, shrimp, shellfish. The cuttlefish blows a stream of water out of the siphon into the sand, thereby it rises, and at this time the mollusk swallows small living creatures, and cuts the larger one with its beak. It will not be difficult for a cuttlefish to bite through the shell of a crab or the skull of a small fish.

    reproduction

    The cuttlefish is an animal that only breeds once. Mollusks migrate to comfortable places for laying eggs, forming flocks of several thousand individuals along the way. Communication occurs by changing the color of the body. With mutual sympathy, both mollusks glow with bright colors. Cuttlefish eggs are mostly black and resemble grapes. After laying eggs, adult cuttlefish die. Cephalopods are born already formed. From birth, little cuttlefish are able to use ink. Cuttlefish live on average 1-2 years.

    Nutritional value of shellfish meat

    Cuttlefish is a source of excellent meat, which contains valuable unsaturated acids - eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, which protect against many diseases of the cardiovascular system. And also these elements reduce the level of triglycerides in the blood, prevent the formation of blood clots and blockage of the arteries.

    Cuttlefish meat contains vitamins B2, B12, A, nicotine and folic acid. In addition, shellfish meat is rich in minerals. In addition to useful substances, meat contains impurities such as cadmium and mercury. Nutritionists recommend eating no more than two servings per week.

    Useful properties of ink

    • Improve mood and fight emotional problems.
    • Help in the treatment of diseases of a reproductive nature.
    • Eliminate the symptoms of digestive disorders.
    • Help in the treatment of skin diseases.

    In ancient times, ink liquid was used for writing. Cuttlefish ink is part of medicines. This substance has a calming effect.

    The ink is used in the production of food colorings and seasonings. They give dishes a special black color and excellent salty taste. Ready-to-use inks are sold in stores. And also on the basis of ink, sauces are made, which are distinguished by a bright and unique taste. Cuttlefish ink contains elements that help metabolism and have anti-inflammatory effects.

    Interesting facts about cephalopods

    1. The cuttlefish has three hearts. Two hearts are used to pump blood to the gills, while the third is used to circulate oxygenated blood to the rest of the body.
    2. Cuttlefish have a protein called hemocyanin in their blood, which is used to carry oxygen. Therefore, her blood is blue-green in color.
    3. The cuttlefish is a mollusk that can imitate the shape and texture of surrounding objects. The mollusk changes its color by expanding or retracting small tubercles located throughout the body, due to which it practically merges with sand, cobblestones and other surfaces.
    4. Males, in order to take care of the female and not attract the attention of others, repaint in an interesting camouflage. They paint one half of the body with colorful paint, and the other is disguised as females, imitating muted tones.
    5. Cuttlefish see well in low light conditions, as well as what is behind them.
    6. Cuttlefish are able to imitate the dynamic movements of algae through their body in order to become inconspicuous. Or arrange a color show to catch prey.
    7. Mollusks skillfully defend themselves from enemies, but the relatively low rate of movement makes them vulnerable to pursuers: dolphins, sharks.

    The cuttlefish is also an interesting object for aquarists. However, keeping them is not easy due to the fact that the molluscs are very shy, often releasing ink into the water, and it becomes opaque. After a certain amount of time, the cuttlefish gets used to the owner and stops being afraid of him.