Caribbean Reef Squid in Cozumel
Caribbean Reef Squid (Sepioteuthis sepioidea) in Cozumel: how to identify it, where it is reliably seen, and how it communicates.
A torpedo-shaped body edged by a continuous fin running the full length of the mantle, hovering in mid-water in small evenly-spaced groups, colours rippling.
Quick ID
| Scientific name | Sepioteuthis sepioidea |
|---|---|
| Group | Molluscs — Octopus, Squid & Snails |
| Typical size | 12–20 cm mantle |
| Depth range | 1–20 m |
| When to see it | Year-round |
| Active | Day and night |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Notes | — |
Where You Will See It In Cozumel
Shallow water over the reef at Paradise Reef, Villa Blanca and Chankanaab, often near the surface at the start or end of a dive.
Reliable sites: Paradise Reef, Villa Blanca Wall, Chankanaab Reef.
Behaviour
Communicates with colour: bands, flashes and split patterns run down the body, and a squid can display one message on the side facing a rival and a different one on the side facing a mate. Groups hold formation and retreat as a unit.
Commonly Confused With
- Cuttlefish — There are no cuttlefish in the Caribbean; a hovering, colour-changing animal here is a reef squid.
- Ballyhoo and halfbeaks — Halfbeaks sit at the surface in tight lines and have a long lower jaw.
Diving Etiquette And Safety
Approach slowly and stop. Squid will hold position for a stationary diver and leave immediately for a fast one.
Part of the Cozumel marine life guide · see Cozumel dive sites · plan your Cozumel dive trip
Photo: Nick Hobgood, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Caribbean Reef Squid Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there cuttlefish in Cozumel?
Why do squid change colour?
Where do you see them?
Do they school?
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