Main Ref.	Roper, C.F.E., M.J. Sweeney and C.E. Nauen, 1984
Appearance refers to

Sex attributes

specialized organs
different appearance
different colors
remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral
Cross section
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout
Position of mouth
Diagnosis	Shell: spineless, cuttlebone width 30 to 35% of length. Mantle: broadly oval, dorsal anterior margin triangular, obtuse; pore of caudal gland at posterior tip ventral to fins. Tentacular clubs elongate, with 20 minute subequal suckers in transverse rows. Arms relatively short. Arm suckers quadriserial; left arm IV hectocotylized in proximal third with the basal part modified by great reduction in size of suckers placed on a transversely ridged surface; ventral 2 rows of suckers close together, dorsal 2 rows separated. Colour: greyish brown. Dorsal mantle covered with white blotches or spots. Fins with pale reflective line along base. No spots or wine-coloured patches at base of fins.
Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Sepiella japonica

Lateral Lines	Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only)
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number
Finlets No.	Dorsal
	Ventral
Spines total
Soft-rays total
Adipose fin

Caudal fin

Attributes

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total
Soft-rays total

Paired fins

Pectoral	Attributes
	spines
	soft-rays
Pelvics	Attributes
	Position
	spines
	soft-rays