Sepiidae: Sepia hedleyi Berry, 1918 (‘Hedley’s cuttlefish’)

Synonym(s): hedleyi Berry, 1918 rex Iredale, 1926 cottesloensis Cotton, 1929 jaenschi Cotton, 1931.

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 offshore waters in midwater. Native. Endemic to southeastern and southwestern Australia (TAS, VIC, SA and WA). In Tasmanian waters, this is a widespread and common species.