Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What do octopuses, squids, and cuttlefishes eat?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
cephalopod
Blue-ringed octopus (genus Hapalochlaena).
Octopuses, squids, and cuttlefishes are carnivorous cephalopods that primarily consume other marine animals. Their diets generally include:1
- Crustaceans: Crabs, lobsters, prawns, and shrimp are common food sources for these animals.231
- Fishes: Many species, particularly squids and cuttlefishes, hunt small fishes.31
- Mollusks: Octopuses frequently feed on bivalve mollusks.1
- Other Cephalopods: Squids are known to be cannibalistic, and cuttlefishes may also prey on one another.31
These animals demonstrate significant skill in hunting, often stalking prey patiently or using their arms and tentacles to lure small fish. While most are active predators, some species, such as those in the group Cirrata, have reduced musculature and likely feed on small plankton or bottom-dwelling organisms. Smaller oceanic squids may also consume copepods and heteropods.421