Niramin - Dec 12th, 2016
The cuttlefish lives primarily in shallow waters in the tropical and subtropical seas of the eastern hemisphere. A huge number of these cephalopods are found in the Mediterranean Sea, where there are about 100 species.
The cuttlefish looks like a squid, while simultaneously resembling a stingray and an octopus. It has a flattened body with a border of fins on the sides and ten short tentacles with suction cups, which the animal can retract into special containers located on the head. With the help of tentacles, the cuttlefish hunts, throwing them out and sucking on the prey.
This sea creature is able to move with the help of fins, and also uses a jet method, thanks to the presence of a jet funnel.
Cuttlefish are distinguished by a developed nervous system and excellent eyesight. In addition, this representative of cephalopods has numerous light-sensitive cells located on the surface of the body. Thanks to these cells, the cuttlefish is able to perfectly camouflage itself in the environment and change its color in literally 1-2 seconds. In case of special danger, it quickly floats away, leaving behind a dense cloud of ink.
By camouflaging itself, the cuttlefish hides from its enemies, and at the same time quietly lies in wait for its prey. Throwing sand onto itself with the help of its fins, this master of camouflage lies on the bottom, taking on its color and shape, and small sea creatures swimming past risk getting caught in its tenacious tentacles. The cuttlefish does not always passively wait for its prey. Using its jet funnel, it slowly swims and erodes the bottom silt and sand under which the prey is hidden. In some cases, hunger forces this leisurely inhabitant of shallow waters to even chase its prey.
The cuttlefish feeds on small inhabitants of the sea: shrimp, crustaceans, small fish, and mollusks. Thanks to taste buds located on the tentacles, the cuttlefish first tastes its dish, determining whether it meets its gastronomic needs.
Interestingly, for many centuries, humanity has used cuttlefish ink for writing and drawing.
Photo: Cuttlefish shoots an ink bomb. 
Photo: Painted cuttlefish is poisonous. 
Photo: Australian giant cuttlefish. 
Video: Cuttlefish (lat. Sepiida)
Video: Cuttlefish - a universal spy - octopus.
Video: Mating games of cuttlefish.wmv
Video: Cuttlefish. at the SEA AQUARIUM on Chistye Prudy
What is a sea cuttlefish? Hearing this question, an image of some shapeless and incomprehensible animal immediately appears before your eyes. Although, perhaps, knowledgeable people would not talk about cuttlefish like that, because these animals can be incredibly beautiful, but they cannot 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 main part of the body is formed by the mantle. The role of the skeleton is played by the internal shell - and this is a feature inherent only to cuttlefish. The head and body are fused. The eyes are complex and are located on the head of the mollusk. There is also something like a beak on the cuttlefish’s head; this natural “device” greatly helps the mollusk in obtaining food. Like many cephalopods, the cuttlefish has an ink sac.
The broad-armed cuttlefish, or broad-armed sepia (Sepia latimanus) is the largest species of these animals. The mollusk has eight legs called tentacles. And each such tentacle is literally studded with small suckers. There are fins on both sides of the body, with the help of which the animal makes swimming movements.
The animal's body size is relatively small for representatives of the cephalopod class. The average adult cuttlefish reaches a length of about 20 centimeters. There are larger cuttlefish, but these are only representatives of certain 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 thanks to chromatophore cells located on the skin.
The most famous types of cuttlefish are:
- Common cuttlefish;
- Broad-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 mollusks, but poisonous);
- Striped cuttlefish (nicknamed the “pajama cuttlefish”, also very poisonous);
- Pharaoh cuttlefish.
Habitat of cuttlefish
The habitats of these mollusks are located in the tropical and subtropical zones of the seas washing the shores of Africa and Eurasia (part of the so-called “Old World”). However, the striped cuttlefish was found even off the coast of Australia.
Lifestyle and behavior
Cuttlefish are solitary mollusks. And only during 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 mollusks are very careful. They are quite easy to scare. They usually behave calmly and prefer leisurely movements under water. The depth of residence is shallow - these animals always try to stick to the coastline.
Scientists believe that cuttlefish are one of the most intelligent representatives of invertebrate animals.
What does cuttlefish eat?
Everything that is smaller in size and lives in water ends up on the cuttlefish’s “dining table.” The main food for these unusual animals are fish, crabs, shrimp, worms, and other shellfish.
Reproduction of cuttlefish
As for breeding offspring, cuttlefish have their own unique feature: they reproduce only once in their entire lives, after which they themselves die.
The mating season is very interesting. Individuals gather in entire flocks and choose their partners. After the choice is made, the mating game begins. Males and females shimmer with all the colors of the rainbow, thus showing their mood and relationship to their partner. Male individuals gently stroke their “bride” with tentacles, seeking her favor.
The striped cuttlefish (Sepioloidea lineolata) is another deadly poisonous species. It lives in the waters of Australia, for its specific color in English it is also called pajama With the help of the male's tentacles, male reproductive cells enter the female's body. After some time, eggs are laid (the moment of fertilization also occurs). Egg clutches are attached to underwater plants and are often black in color. Once the spawning is over, the adult cuttlefish die.
Cuttlefish is a representative of the class of cephalopods. It is often called the “sea chameleon” because it can change its color to match its surroundings. The color of the cuttlefish is heterogeneous: the tentacles are greenish, the fins have a purple tint, the dorsal part is brownish with stripes and spots, and the belly is lighter. Cuttlefish is found in subtropical and tropical seas, mainly in shallow water bodies.
There are more than 100 different species of cuttlefish. The most numerous species is " pharaoh's sickle", which lives in the northern Indian Ocean. A large mollusk can weigh up to 12 kilograms and be up to 50 centimeters long.
How to choose
In appearance, cuttlefish is similar to squid, only meatier and rounder. Fresh cuttlefish can be purchased at a fish store or market. If possible and desired, you can peel and cut it. When choosing a cuttlefish that has already been peeled, look carefully to see if there are any remaining ink residues. When cleaning yourself, it is advisable to wear gloves, as the ink contained in the mollusk stains your hands.
How to store
It is advisable to cook cuttlefish immediately after purchase. But if necessary, wrap it in a thick plastic bag and store it in the freezer.
Reflection in culture
Cuttlefish contains the largest amount of ink. For many centuries people used them for writing and as paint, which was called " sepia", derived from the scientific name of cuttlefish. Painters and artists greatly appreciated this paint for its extraordinary, pure brown tone.
Nowadays, modern industry produces chemical-based paints, but natural “ sepia» is still used in production.
Calorie content
Cuttlefish meat is considered a delicacy, since its calorie content is only 79 kcal per 100 grams of product, and its nutritional value is superior to beef and pork. Regular consumption of cuttlefish meat helps to actively remove cholesterol and improve metabolism, and the fat of this mollusk has an antibacterial effect.
Nutritional value per 100 grams:
Useful properties of cuttlefish
Composition and presence of nutrients
Cuttlefish meat contains a large amount of vitamins and nutrients: omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, potassium, phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc, iodine, vitamins A, E, B6, B12, D and almost everything necessary for the body amino acids.
Cuttlefish meat improves metabolism, has an anti-inflammatory effect, reduces the amount of cholesterol in the blood and acts as a natural antibiotic.
Useful and healing properties
The microelements contained in cuttlefish meat have a positive effect on the human body. Potassium is involved in cleansing the gastrointestinal tract, regulates blood pressure, removes toxins and improves metabolism in tissues.
Iron, also included in the composition, significantly improves blood circulation. Zinc normalizes fat metabolism, and is also necessary for wound healing and better hair growth.
Phosphorus is also indispensable for the quality functioning of the brain and cardiovascular system. It is one of the main components of cells. Copper, which is also part of cuttlefish meat, increases immunity and takes an active part in the structure of proteins.
Cuttlefish ink is used in homeopathic medicine. Sepia is a medicine based on shellfish liquid. Sepia is prescribed for the following diseases: displacement of the uterus, venous congestion in it, leucorrhoea accompanied by itching, constipation, hemorrhoids, gonorrhea, dyspepsia, rectal prolapse, migraine, eczema, bronchitis.
Also, cuttlefish ink is included in the composition of Klimakt Hel - a homeopathic medicine that is prescribed for disorders of the nervous system, deterioration of ovarian function, migraines, vegetative-vascular dystonia, sleep disorders, hot flashes.
In cooking
Proper preparation of cuttlefish means a lot. Since there is practically no opportunity to buy this shellfish fresh, you need to learn how to carefully handle its chilled or frozen tender meat. It is recommended to defrost cuttlefish in cold water. If you purchased an unpeeled shellfish, then after defrosting it you will need to clean it in the same way as a fresh one: throw away the bone, eyes, mouth and entrails. If the silver sac with ink remains, then it must be carefully removed, as the contents can still be used to prepare cuttlefish spaghetti or risotto. After cutting the cuttlefish, you need to wash the body and tentacles under running water.
To prepare appetizers or salads from cuttlefish, it is best to buy the meat of small shellfish, as it is more tender. And for spaghetti or soup, cuttlefish of 500 grams are suitable. It is better not to buy shellfish weighing more than 600 grams, because the meat will be very tough.
Before preparing the dish, you can pre-cook the cuttlefish or fry it.
Cuttlefish ink must be added to the dish before preparing it: carefully cut the bag and pour the contents into a saucepan or frying pan. It is best to use fresh cuttlefish ink to spice up the dish.
Dangerous properties of cuttlefish
A contraindication to eating cuttlefish meat is an allergy to seafood.
Want to see cuttlefish underwater? Very exciting and educational video.
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. Vision is acute, because the eyes are similar in structure to human eyes. Can change the shape of the lens. Some individuals suffer from color blindness. The mouth consists of a beak (similar to a parrot's), jaws, and a rough tongue. The cuttlefish's body is oval (up to 25 cm long), flattened. The fins are located on the sides in the form of a narrow bony fringe that stretches along the entire body. The fins are separated at the rear end of the body. The internal calcareous shell (up to 60 cm long), in the form of a wide plate, is located under the mantle on the back. The grasping tentacles are long, retracted entirely into special sac-like pits; the remaining eight "arms" are short and surround the mouth and beak. The "hands" are equipped with suction cups. The fourth left “arm” of males differs in its structure and is used for fertilization. Male cuttlefish are larger in size 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 liquid containing black pigment. The coloring ability 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 a giant cuttlefish is blue-green.
Color: depends on mood (stress, readiness to reproduce, fear) and environment. The cuttlefish changes color very quickly, which is why the cuttlefish is called the “chameleon of the sea.” This is explained by the presence in their skin of cells with various pigments that, under the influence of impulses from the central nervous system, can stretch or shrink, depending on the perception of the senses. At the moment of extreme excitement (mating season, attack on prey), the cuttlefish’s body begins to cast a metallic sheen, and its back is covered with many luminous dots.
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 stays near the bottom, hides on the ground, throwing sand or silt on its back and changing the color of its back.
Enemies: seals, rays, sharks, dolphins, fish, other cuttlefish.
Food/food: The cuttlefish is a smart hunter, attacks from ambush, or uses its tentacles to lure prey. Hunts at night for crustaceans (small crabs, shrimps), small mollusks (snails, clams), fish, other cuttlefish, worms.
Behavior: leads a bottom-dwelling lifestyle. During the day, the cuttlefish hides in caves and among seaweed. It crawls along the ground with the help of its “arms”, swims with the help of fins, swims quickly, throwing water out of the mantle (jet movement). It is territorial, in most cases it spends its entire life in the same area. It reacts to stressful situations individually: while some become aggressive, others remain calm, and others experience panic. Can learn from experience from its fellows. There is a pronounced attraction to the game. The cuttlefish is extremely curious and is attracted to the bright colors.
Social structure: They are solitary and gather together only during the breeding season.
Reproduction: Once a year, adult Australian cuttlefish migrate to the rocky reefs of South Australia. The sex ratio (males:females) is 4:1, maximum 11:1. The density of giant cuttlefish during the breeding season is 85 individuals per 100 m2. During this period, males are painted in their breeding plumage: black with white stripes. Aggressive large males do not allow young or smaller males to approach females. Therefore, small males, taking advantage of their size, pretend to be females, changing their body color and thereby misleading the large males. When they are distracted, the small males again change color, mate with the 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, by expelling water from his mantle, rinses her mantle cavity to remove the spermatophores of other males. The female attaches fertilized eggs (in a thick shell) to underwater objects. Over the entire season, a female can lay up to 200 eggs. The eggs are round, diameter up to 2 cm, length up to 3 cm. Parents do not guard the eggs. At the end of the breeding season, the female usually dies.
Breeding season/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. Juveniles are similar in appearance to adults. Feeds on plankton.
Benefit/harm for humans: The giant cuttlefish is a commercial item - its meat is eaten. The secretion 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 the food of birds to meet the need for calcium and other minerals (chickens, canaries, budgies), as well as to grind down their beaks.
Population/Conservation Status: Fishing for cuttlefish is prohibited in Australia during the breeding season.
Literature:
1. Edgar, G. J., (2000) Australian Marine Life, Reed New Holland.
2. Great Soviet Encyclopedia. I.M. Likharev
3. Brockhaus F.A., Efron I.A. encyclopedic Dictionary
4. American Museum of Natural History
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Nov-16-2016
What is cuttlefish
The medicinal cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) is a cephalopod of the family Sepiidae. It lives in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and can be 20-30 cm long, with its grasping arms reaching the same length. The hands have 4 rows of suction cups. The color is variable - usually brownish on the back with light spots and stripes, slightly lighter on the belly, greenish on the arms, purple on the fins. Used for food. The shell, (the so-called os sepiae) cuttlefish bone, or canary foam in the old days was used in medicine, now it serves only for polishing and is hung in the cage of indoor birds to clean the beak. Brown paint (sepia) is prepared from the liquid in the ink sac.
Wikipedia
What is cuttlefish, the benefits and harms of cuttlefish, are of great interest to people who lead a healthy lifestyle, monitor their health, and are interested in traditional methods of treatment. So we will try to answer questions that interest this category of people.
The cuttlefish belongs to an ancient genus of animals from the class of cephalopods. And the fact that clearly ugly people are called by this beautiful name is on the conscience of those who use this word for other purposes. The cuttlefish lives in the Atlantic, Indian and Pacific oceans, off the coast of Japan, Australia and South Africa. It feeds on small fish and crustaceans.
Cuttlefish are small (2 cm), small (25 cm) and large (up to 15 m). The cuttlefish's eyes are small but sharp, at least compared to the vision of other mollusks.
The ten tentacles have many suckers, which are arranged in rows. They are used to capture food.
The cuttlefish protects itself with the help of a released liquid - the so-called ink. When the cuttlefish releases them, a continuous curtain is formed, and under its cover it flees from its pursuers. And her enemies are noble: shark, stingray, dolphin. The ink shade has a surprisingly pleasant brown color. They were used for writing and paints (“sepia”).
Benefits of cuttlefish
The calorie content of cuttlefish is only 79 kcal.
- Particularly popular is the fat (0.7 g%) of cuttlefish. It is known as a unique natural antibiotic.
- Proteins in 100 g of cuttlefish are 16, 24 g, carbohydrates are 0.8 g.
- It contains a lot of potassium (354 mg), phosphorus (387 mg).
- Cuttlefish meat is especially valued due to the presence of zinc (1.73 mg), selenium (44.8 mcg) and copper (587 mcg).
- The presence of copper in cuttlefish meat increases the healing effect on the body. Copper is an antiseptic and astringent. Cuttlefish meat is beneficial for diabetes, and copper plays an important role here.
Research on the antimicrobial effects of copper and silver is very interesting. Microorganisms die if only traces of silver and copper are present in the solution. Copper itself plays a key role in metabolism and is part of enzymes, without which life is generally impossible. Biologists call copper “the metal of life.” The copper in the product is absorbed into the intestines and absorbed by the liver, from there it returns to the blood and enters the organs. The WHO recommends consuming 1.5 mg of copper per day, and there are few foods that contain large amounts of it. These are mainly champignons, liver, potatoes. Oysters and cuttlefish occupy one of the honorable places on this list.
- Cuttlefish meat is a preventative for the cardiovascular system.
- Its use reduces the risk of myocardial infarction and obesity.
- Cuttlefish meat improves metabolism and reduces excess cholesterol in the blood. There is plenty of cholesterol in cuttlefish itself, but this does not at all affect its level in the blood when it is normal. And the amino acids in cuttlefish meat successfully remove “foreign” cholesterol.
- The use of cuttlefish meat in the diet is also important for improving immunity.
How to clean cuttlefish
Fresh cuttlefish is cut lengthwise, the bone located in the middle of the cuttlefish, the insides, eyes, beak, and mouth are thrown away.
The ink bag is carefully removed, being careful not to tear it.
The cuttlefish and its tentacles, which were separated during cutting, are washed in cold water. It is also better to remove the skin, especially if you use the shellfish for making salads.
Attention! Before cutting cuttlefish, you should wear gloves, as if the ink bag ruptures, your hands will turn black.
If the cuttlefish is frozen but not cleaned, it must first be thawed in the refrigerator. After defrosting this shellfish, it is cleaned in the same way as fresh.
The easiest way is to buy already cleaned cuttlefish - and it must be small, no more than 500 g, and preferably very small.
Cuttlefish over half a kilogram are unlikely to please you, they are very tough.
Beneficial properties of cuttlefish ink
Cuttlefish ink is used in the preparation of rice, risotto, and pasta. However, we use them not only for food, but also for health.
- They are introduced into medicines for the treatment of hemorrhoids, diarrhea, bronchitis, eczema, and gynecological diseases.
- They help with loss of strength, throbbing headaches, nervous disorders, anxiety, irritability, tearfulness, and hysteria.
- Homeopaths use ink to treat vegetative-vascular dystonia, sleep disorders, and during menopause.
Ink is no less valuable in cooking. Adding them gives the dish (especially bread, pasta, rice) a light brown “serpia” hue (the word “sepia” itself is translated from ancient Greek and means “cuttlefish”).
Attention!
Cuttlefish ink adds a “sea flavor” to any dish.
Therefore, they are incompatible with meat and poultry dishes. It is better not to use them if you plan to drink beer during or after the meal.
By purchasing frozen cuttlefish, you can obtain this ink yourself. Just keep in mind that they curl when frozen, so before use it is better to dilute them with a small amount of hot water (a few drops of boiling water per tablespoon of ink).
But in supermarkets you can also buy them as a separate product - just read the label carefully: the composition should not contain anything other than cuttlefish ink and salt. If any other additives are mentioned, then you will only buy a flavored dye, the health value of which, at best, will be zero.
The amount of ink needed for a dish varies with each cook. I usually use one teaspoon to one tablespoon per dish - when cooking rice and pasta.
Ink is usually added to side dishes at the very end of cooking so that the flavor does not dissipate.
Ink is introduced into flour products at the time of kneading the dough. If the dough is yeast, then before the last kneading (after that it should rise again). There is almost no aroma left, but the color is very beautiful. I add it to the dough for pies with fish, cabbage and vegetables.
It is better not to add it to sweet dishes - the taste will be too specific.
How to cook cuttlefish
Place the defrosted cuttlefish in salted boiling water. Before cooking, cuttlefish can be cut into small longitudinal strips or rings. If the clam is small, cook it for 20–30 minutes.
Remove the cooked cuttlefish from the boiling water and cook from it whatever your heart desires: soup, risotto, stew, fry, make minced meat.
In addition, cuttlefish meat is dried and pickled.
Harm to cuttlefish
The main limitation is the presence of allergic reactions to seafood. People who are prone to allergies should not include dishes made from cuttlefish meat in their diet.
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