Just found a cuttlefish hatchling

[TheSeeker]

I have no idea how to take care of it. I only have experience with octos. Please advise asap! I so want to raise it

 

[tonmo]

oh boy, here you go, ready or not! Be sure to check our "hatchlings" tag. Hopefully you'll get some expert support. Also check out our ceph care articles!

 

[TheSeeker]

I temporarily placed it in a small tank with fresh seawater and a small filter. My main concern is what to feed it...I have frozen fish and live crabs available, but the crabs seem huge to be offered, even if dead...Should I try a tiny piece of fish?

 

[TheSeeker]

oh boy, here you go, ready or not! Be sure to check our "hatchlings" tag. Hopefully you'll get some expert support. Also check out our ceph care articles!

Thanks! I am prepared to do a lot of reading...

 

[TheSeeker]

It did not make it... Maybe I should have let it struggle in the tidal pool where I found it...But it was so cute and fragile I could not resist

 

[tonmo]

I'm sorry about the outcome... it's true, they are (usually) best left to their natural defenses!

 

[KD5054]

That actually looks like a bobtail squid. Sorry for you outcome.

 

[TheSeeker]

I haven't thought about the possibility...Do you know if their distribution goes as far as the Mediterranean Sea? I know for sure that we have Sepia officinalis but my knowledge about cuttlefish is very limited...

 

[KD5054]

I haven't thought about the possibility...Do you know if their distribution goes as far as the Mediterranean Sea? I know for sure that we have Sepia officinalis but my knowledge about cuttlefish is very limited...

Yes they do!
These guys also do not get very big. Cute little buggers though.
Here's a few links for you.
Sepiola atlantica - Wikipedia

Sepiola atlantica : Atlantic Bobtail Squid | NBN Atlas

NBN Atlas

species.nbnatlas.org

 

[TheSeeker]

Yes they do!
These guys also do not get very big. Cute little buggers though.
Here's a few links for you.
Sepiola atlantica - Wikipedia

Sepiola atlantica : Atlantic Bobtail Squid | NBN Atlas

NBN Atlas

species.nbnatlas.org

So, according to the Wiki article, a single specimen has been collected from Italy! But I am based in Greece, so if you are right and this was indeed a sepiola atlantica that would be super cool for cuttlefish experts to know...I have a short video from the moment I collected it, I will try to post it later in case anyone is interested...

 

[TheSeeker]

 

[TheSeeker]

On the other hand, after some light reading I discovered that the common bobtail squid Sepietta oweniana is more common in our area...

 

[KD5054]

So, according to the Wiki article, a single specimen has been collected from Italy! But I am based in Greece, so if you are right and this was indeed a sepiola atlantica that would be super cool for cuttlefish experts to know...I have a short video from the moment I collected it, I will try to post it later in case anyone is interested...

Indeed! But that is what it looks like to me. How exciting.