FAO Species Identification Guide for Fishery Purposes Western

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738 Cephalopods
Sepia apama Gray, 1849
Frequent synonyms / misidentifications: Sepia
palmata Owen, 1881; Amplisepia verreauxi
Iredale, 1926; A. parysatis Iredale, 1954 / None.
FAO names: En - Giant Australian cuttlefish;
Fr - Seiche géante; Sp - Sepia gigante.
Diagnostic characters: Three large flap-like
papillae posterior to each eye; sometimes
additional smaller papillae anterior to these large
papillae. Left ventral (IV) arm of males
hectocotylized, proximal 6 to 10 sucker rows
slightly reduced; reduced suckers equal in size
across rows. Tentacular club crescent-shaped;
sucker-bearing face flattened, with 5 or 6 suckers
in transverse rows, differing markedly in size
(median suckers enlarged); swimming keel
extending slightly beyond sucker-bearing face;
dorsal and ventral protective membranes fused at
base of club, separated from stalk by a membrane.
Cuttlebone outline broadly oval in juveniles, wider
in anterior half, becoming elongate in adults;
cuttlebone rounded anteriorly and posteriorly in
juveniles, acuminate in adults; dorsal surface with
faint median and lateral ribs; spine present in
juveniles, lost in adults; last loculus flat, striated
zone convex, with shallow sulcus, anterior striae
inverted U-shape; inner cone limbs broadening
posteriorly, anterior margin forms a rough
calcareous callus posteriorly; outer cone narrow
anteriorly, broadens posteriorly, extends well
beyond inner cone in adults. Colour: during
breeding season, dorsal mantle with bold,
transverse stripes.
Size: Maximum mantle length 500 mm; maximum
weight over 5 kg. One of the largest cuttlefishes.
Habitat, biology, and fisheries: A neritic
demersal species occurring in rocky areas,
seagrass beds and on open trawl grounds to a
depth of 100 m. Spawning extends from May to
September. Taken as bycatch of prawn and mixed
species trawl fisheries and also caught by
hook-and-line, or speared by divers. Commonly
seen in fish markets along the southern coast of
Australia. Sold for human consumption and as bait.
Distribution: Southern Australia.
20 mm
tentacular
club
(after Lu, in press)
dorsal view
(illustration: K. Hollis/ABRS)
ventral view
30 mm dorsal view
lateral view
cuttlebone (subadult)
(illustration: K. Hollis/ABRS)