Embracing Their Prey at That Dark Hour: Common Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) Can Hunt in Nighttime Light Conditions

Abstract

Cuttlefish are highly efficient predators, which strongly rely on their anterior binocular visual field for hunting and prey capture. Their complex eyes possess adaptations for low light conditions. Recently, it was discovered that they display camouflaging behavior at night, perhaps to avoid detection by predators, or to increase their nighttime hunting success. This raises the question whether cuttlefish are capable of foraging during nighttime. In the present study, prey capture of the common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) was filmed with a high-speed video camera in different light conditions. Experiments were performed in daylight and with near-infrared light sources in two simulated nightlight conditions, as well as in darkness. The body of the common cuttlefish maintained a velocity of less than 0.1 m/s during prey capture, while the tentacles during the seizing phase reached velocities of up to 2.5 m/s and accelerations reached more than 450 m/s 2 for single individuals. There was no significant difference between the day and nighttime trials, respectively. In complete darkness, the common cuttlefish was unable to catch any prey. Our results show that the common cuttlefish are capable of catching prey during day-and nighttime light conditions. The common cuttlefish employ similar sensory motor systems and prey capturing techniques during both day-and nighttime conditions.

About storage of tentacles in the pockets of cuttlefishes (Mollusca: Cephalopoda)

“…Tentacular clubs outside the pockets would be disturbance when cuttlefish send a prey to their mouth by their arms because tentacle pocket openings are near the mouth. Cuttlefish extend the tentacles lead-ing the tentacular clubs (Brauckhoff et al, 2020). This curling way may retain the tentacles in the pockets by preventing the tentacular clubs leading the tentacular stalks from coming out.…”

The effect of Red LED Lights on Pot Catches in Penaah Waters, Lingga Riau Island

“…Cephalopods (Sepia pharaonis) were caught because they saw the presence of prey in the form of fish around the light. According to Brauckhoff et al (2020), in the dark, Sepia sp. cannot catch prey as long as there is no light, especially at night.…”