DiverGems Diving Center

Just another day at Kimud Shoal..

What other divers hear: 🫧🫧
What we hear: 🫧🎶🐟😵💦

Cuttlefish have one of the most fascinating and complex mating behaviours in the ocean

During the courtship, male cuttlefishes flash intense, high-contrast patterns like zebra stripes or pulsing waves These signal strength, health, and dominance to females—and warnings to intimidate the other male rival. Size, brightness and confidence often decides the winner- who gets to mate with the female cuttlefish.

When a female is receptive, the male uses a specialised arm to pass s***m packets into a pouch near the female’s mouth. Mating can last from a few seconds to several minutes. However, females can store s***m from multiple males and may selectively use it later—meaning the “winner” of the colour battle isn’t always the father. 🫣

After mating, females lay eggs in crevices or on reef structures, coating them in ink for camouflage. Once the eggs are laid, adults typically die shortly after, completing their short but intense life cycle.

Our divers (us included!) were definitely mesmerised by the cuttlefish mating battle for at least a good 5 minutes underwater!

📍: Gato island