Head to head
Pyjama Squid vs Flamboyant Cuttlefish
Pyjama Squid
VS Flamboyant Cuttlefish
The pyjama squid and the flamboyant cuttlefish are both small, toxic cephalopods found in Indo-Pacific waters, but they belong to different cephalopod families and announce their toxicity in very different ways.
| Pyjama Squid | Flamboyant Cuttlefish | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Sepioloidea lineolata | Metasepia pfefferi |
| Classification | A bobtail squid relative | A true cuttlefish |
| Toxic flesh | Yes | Yes, the only cuttlefish known to be toxic |
| Movement | Not a notably unusual gait | Walks on its arm-tips rather than swimming |
| Colour display | Fixed brown and white stripes | Pulses yellow, red, and purple when disturbed |
| Range | Coastal waters around Australia | Tropical Indo-Pacific, including Australia and Indonesia |
| Diet | Carnivore | Carnivore |
| Conservation status | Not Evaluated | Not Evaluated |
Pyjama Squid vs Flamboyant Cuttlefish: common questions
Are both the pyjama squid and flamboyant cuttlefish toxic?
Yes, both have toxic flesh, though the flamboyant cuttlefish is notable as the only cuttlefish species confirmed to have poisonous muscle tissue.
How do the pyjama squid and flamboyant cuttlefish move differently?
The flamboyant cuttlefish has an unusual walking gait, moving across the seabed on its arm-tips rather than swimming, while the pyjama squid does not show this same distinctive movement style.
Are the pyjama squid and flamboyant cuttlefish the same type of cephalopod?
No, the pyjama squid belongs to the bobtail squid group, while the flamboyant cuttlefish is a true cuttlefish, placing them in different cephalopod families despite some shared traits.