Sepia hierredda

Lore & Background

Sepia hierredda is very similar in appearance to the common cuttlefish, but consistent morphological differences distinguish the two. The giant African cuttlefish has a higher number of transverse rows of suckers for specimens of similar mantle lengths, a narrower mantle, and shorter arms. The striated zone on its cuttlebone is longer than that of common cuttlefish from the northeastern Atlantic, though this character is not useful for distinguishing it from common cuttlefish off the Canary Islands. Genetic sampling off Senegal, where the two species are sympatric, showed no signs of hybridization.

Reader's Guide

Sepia hierredda is a commercially important quarry species for fisheries off the western coast of Africa. In waters off Western Sahara and Mauritania, it is the main species caught by Spanish trawlers. The species occurs along the west coast of Africa from Cape Blanc in Mauritania south to Baia dos Tigres in Angola, and also around the Endeavour Bank off northwestern Africa. It starts spawning early in the year, from February into September, and has a lifespan of 24 months. Females become sexually mature at a mantle length of 130 mm. Where it is sympatric with the common cuttlefish, the giant African cuttlefish shows a strong preference for waters above 50 m in depth, while the common cuttlefish can be found at depths over 100 m. Migrations of this species have been recorded off West Africa.

Did You Know?

• Sepia hierredda was previously considered the same species as the common cuttlefish Sepia officinalis.
• It can grow to a mantle length of up to 500 mm and a weight of 7.5 kg.
• The species has a lifespan of 24 months and spawns from February to September.
• Off Western Sahara and Mauritania, it is the main cuttlefish species caught by Spanish trawlers.