Sepiidae: Sepia novaehollandiae Hoyle, 1909 (‘New Holland cuttlefish’)

Synonym(s): novaehollandiae Hoyle, 1909 macandrewi Iredale, 1926 ostanes Iredale, 1954.

Typical shell-length 80 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 (NSW, TAS, VIC, SA and WA). In Tasmanian waters, this is an uncommon species; probably confined to Bass Strait.