Entry of immature cuttlefish Sepia esculenta into basket traps

In the present study, trapping experiments and observations on the behavior of immature cuttlefish Sepia esculenta towards the traps were made under held and laboratory conditions. Trapping experiments clearly demonstrated the entry of immature cuttlefish into the basket traps. The entry rate was significantly higher in immature than in mature cuttlefish studied in the same laboratory conditions. When entering and leaving the trap, cuttlefish swam straight primarily with arms in front, thus suggesting their active movement. After entry, cuttlefish remained stationary at the bottom. Females stayed in the trap longer than 3 days, while males left within 3 days. The existence or the position of branches did not influence the entry of cuttlefish into the traps. These results may rule out the possibility that spawning is a motivation for the entry of cuttlefish into the traps.