Size selectivity in the diet of the young cuttlefish Sepia officinalis (Mollusca: Sepiidae)

Abstract

The prey size of young cuttlefish was investigated by measuring the size of entire animals, carapace, periopods, and otoliths in the stomach contents of specimens from Morbihan Bay in 1994–1996. The young of the Sepia species consumed a wide range of prey sizes. The size of all isopods and amphipods was less than the 50% of those of the Sepia. The size ratio of brachyurans varied between 14 and 37% of the dorsal mantle length of the cuttlefish. The young could catch fish species which were three times larger than itself.