The Flamboyant Cuttlefish, Metasepia pfefferi, grows to 8 cm total length. This is the only species of cuttlefish known to be toxic. The toxin is in its muscle tissue and is as toxic as the venom from the blue ring octopus. Some marine biologists suggest that the brilliant colors and patterns that the Flamboyant Cuttlefish display are warning coloration (aposematism) to potential predators of the toxins. This individual was photographed in Southwestern Japan (2007).