Some observations on the hatching and post-hatching behaviour of the cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis Ehrenberg

Abstract

Egg capsules of the cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis were collected off Vizhinjam and the hatchlings studied in the laboratory. Most of the young ones hatch out within a period of eight days, and a few had premature batching. The hatched young ones resembling the adult externally were found to move by swimming, crawling or darting by jet propulsion. They settled on the bottom and were attracted towards light. The young ones were reared for a period of twenty three days in the laboratory.