Invertebrate
Flamboyant cuttlefish
Metasepia pfefferi
A small cuttlefish that walks across the sand flashing waves of red, yellow and white colour; its flesh is toxic. A prized macro subject at sandy sites such as Chocolate Island and, elsewhere, Kapalai.
- Max size
- ~8cm mantle
- Habitat
- Sand and rubble flats; often walks rather than swims
Best places to dive with Flamboyant cuttlefish
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | peak season |
| November | peak season |
| December | peak season |
Regularly seen on the Dauin muck, with reports of higher octopus and cuttlefish activity around October into the early dry season; sightings are still not guaranteed on any dive.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | commonly seen |
| February | commonly seen |
| March | commonly seen |
| April | commonly seen |
| May | commonly seen |
| June | commonly seen |
| July | commonly seen |
| August | commonly seen |
| September | commonly seen |
| October | commonly seen |
| November | commonly seen |
| December | commonly seen |
A signature Lembeh critter, found year-round over black sand; reported slightly more often in the cooler July-September months.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
A prized macro subject on black-sand muck sites, more frequently reported in the cooler months.
| Month | Likelihood |
|---|---|
| January | occasional |
| February | occasional |
| March | occasional |
| April | occasional |
| May | occasional |
| June | occasional |
| July | occasional |
| August | occasional |
| September | occasional |
| October | occasional |
| November | occasional |
| December | occasional |
A macro find on sandy sites year-round.
Sources & last checked
Checked July 2026
This is a researched draft, not yet human-verified. The seasonality and logistics are drawn from the sources below — confirm specifics (permits, fees, closures) with an operator before you book.
- Malapascua Marine Life — Thresher Shark Divers