Sepiidae: Sepia cultrata Hoyle, 1885 (‘knifebone cuttlefish’)

Synonym(s): cultrata Hoyle, 1885 gemellus Iredale, 1926 macilenta Iredale, 1926.

Typical shell-length 55 mm. As with all cuttlefishes, the ‘shell’ is the animal’s rigid but buoyant internal support structure, which floats to the surface once the animal dies and may drift many kilometres before beaching. Lives in inshore and offshore waters in midwater. Native. Endemic to southeastern and southwestern Australia (NSW, TAS, VIC, SA and WA). In Tasmanian waters, this is an uncommon species, most likely to be beached in the S and E.