Marine Life
Octopuses, squid and cuttlefish are highly specialised marine animals found throughout southern Australia’s temperate waters. Explore their remarkable camouflage, behaviour and life cycles across the Great Southern Reef.
Cephalopods
Ecology and Diversity
Cephalopods of Southern Australia
Cephalopods occupy habitats ranging from shallow rocky reefs and seagrass meadows to open coastal waters. Their soft bodies, powerful arms and highly developed senses allow them to move, hunt and shelter across remarkably different environments.
Many can rapidly alter their colour, pattern and skin texture for camouflage, communication and display. Along the Great Southern Reef, these adaptations are seen in species as varied as giant cuttlefish, reef squid and tiny dumpling squid.
Image: Mike Jones
Cephalopods of the Great Southern Reef
-
![]()
Australia’s Giant Cuttlefish (Sepia apama)
Australia’s largest cuttlefish, known for spectacular colour changes and mass winter breeding aggregations in the northern Spencer Gulf.
-
![]()
gloomy octopus (Octopus tetricus)
A medium-sized octopus recognised by its pale eyes, rust-coloured arms and complex behaviour on rocky reefs and seagrass habitats. (Image: Mike Jones)
-
![]()
blue ringed octopus (Hapalochlaena maculosa)
A tiny and highly venomous octopus whose vivid blue rings become conspicuous when the animal is disturbed or threatened.
-
![]()
southern calamari (Sepioteuthis australis)
A common reef squid with a long mantle, large eyes and remarkable colour changes, found throughout southern Australian and New Zealand waters.
-
![]()
southern dumpling squid (Euprymna tasmanica)
A small, rounded bobtail squid that buries itself in sand by day and emerges after dark to hunt small crustaceans.
Explore more Marine Life
-
![]()
Cephalopods
Learn about southern Australia’s octopuses, squid and cuttlefish.
-
![]()
Invertibrates
Discover the many invertebrate groups that contribute to reef biodiversity.
-
![]()
Crustaceans
Crabs, lobsters, prawns and other crustaceans play important roles in reef food webs and nutrient cycling.
-
![]()
Seaweeds
More than 1,500 seaweed species occur across the Great Southern Reef, including the kelps that create its underwater forests.
-
![]()
Fish
From tiny reef fish to iconic seadragons and large pelagic species, the Great Southern Reef supports remarkable fish diversity.
Join Our Community
Sign up to our monthly newsletter to receive the latest updates from around the GSR.
Monthly Great Southern Reef updates. Unsubscribe at any time.