Dwarf cuttlefish (Sepia bandensis) care guide

Group
Other invertebrates
Other names
Ascarosepion bandense, Stumpy-spined cuttlefish, Sepia baxteri (possible synonym)
Family
Sepiidae
Origin
Central Indo-Pacific; shallow coastal coral reefs and sandy coasts (type locality Banda Neira, Indonesia)
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
7 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
SG 1.023–1.025, dKH 8–12
Minimum tank
150 litres
Care level
expert
Temperament
aggressive
Reef safe
with_caution
Lifespan
Under 1 years

Care

The dwarf cuttlefish is a small cuttlefish with a mantle about 4–7 cm long when adult; males are larger than females. It can change colour and skin texture in under a second using nerve-controlled colour cells and skin bumps, usually to match its background, and it can even show different patterns on each side of its body. It often "walks" along the seabed on its lowest pair of arms, swims with its fin and jets away when alarmed. Name: a 2023 study moved it to the genus Ascarosepion, so its current name is Ascarosepion bandense. Cephalopod welfare: cuttlefish are short-lived (females about 6–9 months, males about 9–12 months), need expert care, a secure lid and a dedicated tank, and are recognised as sentient animals under the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022. Do not buy one on impulse. Set-up: a dedicated, mature tank of 150 litres or more (larger for a group) with sand, rock caves and open space, very good water quality and strong skimming, as cuttlefish produce a lot of waste and are sensitive to poor water. Cover pump intakes. Avoid stinging corals and anemones, and do not keep with fish that nip. Ink: a frightened cuttlefish may ink; run activated carbon and do a water change if it does. Copper: copper-based medicines and some plant fertilisers are toxic to shrimp, snails and most invertebrates. Never dose copper in a tank holding this animal, and check fertiliser and medicine labels before use. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepiabandensis). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Obligate carnivore that hunts by sight, stalking prey and grabbing it with its two feeding tentacles. In captivity feed live or thawed shrimp (grass shrimp, mysis) and small crabs daily; many need live food at first and can be trained to take thawed shrimp from tongs. Remove leftover food promptly.

Breeding

Males are larger. Females lay several clutches over a breeding period of one to two months, in clusters of about 5–40 eggs roughly 1 cm across, fixed to corals or firm surfaces, with no parental care. Eggs hatch after about four weeks into miniature adults that swim and hunt within days and need tiny live foods such as mysis. They mature at about 3–4 months, and adults decline and die soon after breeding. Captive breeding is possible and is the best source of animals.

Compatibility and tank mates

Best in a species tank. It eats shrimp, crabs and small fish, and is harassed or injured by nippy or large fish. Females and young males can often be kept together with enough space; mature males may fight. Corals are not eaten, but stinging corals and anemones can injure it.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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