Flamboyant Cuttlefish
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Metasepia pfefferi
About Flamboyant Cuttlefish.
This small cuttlefish has a compact body and prominent pale bars along the upper mantle. The Western Australian Museum describes a mantle length reaching 8 cm. Identification source. The guide retains the existing scientific name Metasepia pfefferi; the Monterey Bay Aquarium uses Ascarosepion pfefferi, and that naming difference needs reconciliation.
Where it lives.
Shallow sand and mud are documented habitats, where this cuttlefish hunts small fish and crustaceans. Western Australian Museum habitat account. General habitat suitability is not evidence of presence at an individual Philippine dive site.
How it behaves.
Responsible observation
Avoid seabed contact, manipulating animals and close camera flashes. See Green Fins guidance.
These references support general guidance, not a recent sighting or an encounter guarantee. This is a partial guide; local information can be corrected as evidence improves.
Where to see it.
Evidence for philippines · 16 dive sites
General range is not evidence of occurrence at a specific dive site.
Boatyard
Puerto Galera
Site occurrence not yet documented
Season not yet documented
No dated observations available.
Cars Wreck (Dauin)
Dauin
Documented site occurrence
Season not yet documented
Source reviewed on 2026-10-02 · Source: Bongo Bongo Divers — undated named-site description; not a recent sighting record · Observation date not documented
Chocolate Island
Malapascua
Documented site occurrence
Season not yet documented
Source reviewed on 2026-09-28 · Source: Evolution Diving Resort · Observation date not documented
Kalipayan
Panglao
Site occurrence not yet documented
Season not yet documented
No dated observations available.
Lamanok
Anda
Documented site occurrence
Season not yet documented
Source reviewed on 2026-10-03 · Source: Nigel Marsh / Diveplanit · Observation date not documented
Lighthouse Reef
Malapascua
Documented site occurrence
Season not yet documented
Source reviewed on 2026-10-05 · Source: Little Mermaid Dive Resort (operator guide; sighting date unknown) · Observation date not documented
Manila Channel
Puerto Galera
Documented site occurrence
Season not yet documented
Source reviewed on 2026-09-29 · Source: Divers Alert Network / Alert Diver · Observation date not documented
Masaplod North
Dauin
Site occurrence not yet documented
Season not yet documented
No dated observations available.
Paradise Beach
El Nido
Site occurrence not yet documented
Season not yet documented
No dated observations available.
Sabang Wrecks
Puerto Galera
Site occurrence not yet documented
Season not yet documented
No dated observations available.
Sahara
Dauin
Documented site occurrence
Season not yet documented
Source reviewed on 2026-10-02 · Source: La Tortue Diving Center — Sahara Deep section; undated description, not a recent sighting record · Observation date not documented
San Miguel
Dauin
Documented site occurrence
Season not yet documented
Source reviewed on 2026-10-02 · Source: La Tortue Diving Center — undated named-site description; not a recent sighting record · Observation date not documented
Secret Bay
Anilao
Documented site occurrence
Season not yet documented
Source reviewed on 2026-09-29 · Source: Dave Harasti · Observation date not documented
Secret Corner
Dauin
Documented site occurrence
Season not yet documented
Source reviewed on 2026-09-28 · Source: Dauin Diving Center · Observation date not documented
Sunset Cove House Reef
Romblon
Documented site occurrence
Season not yet documented
Source reviewed on 2026-10-14 · Source: Sunset Cove Beach & Dive Resort · Observation date not documented
Tapilon Wreck
Malapascua
Documented site occurrence
Season not yet documented
Source reviewed on 2026-10-05 · Source: Thresher Shark Divers (operator guide; sighting date unknown) · Observation date not documented
Gallery.
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