reef squid commonly known reef squid oval squid commercially important species squid currently recognized species belonging genus studies indicated reef comprise cryptic species complex species likely include similar closely related species reef characterised large oval fin extends margins mantle giving superficial similarity small medium sized averaging centimetres length exhibit elaborate mating displays usually spawn vary location resemble miniature adults remarkable having capability change body hatching reef fastest recorded growth rates large marine reaching months short lived species maximum recorded lifespan days diet reef comprises mainly crustaceans small fish found temperate tropical waters pacific indian oceans recently introduced mediterranean commonly found near shoreline near rocks coral reefs vast quantities human food asia rapid growth rate short life span tolerance handling captivity reef regarded promising species valuable source giant medical research taxonomy nomenclature reef known northern australia new_zealand distinguish southern reef squid southern common names include green eyed squid english tamil french spanish german hawaiian chinese malaysian japanese korean currently recognised species classified genus pencil squid family belongs squid order literally means squid greek squid described french naturalist named type specimen collected lesson coast new_guinea voyage french corvette command numerous species described pacific indian oceans late 19th century early 20th century belgian examined specimens recovered tropical western pacific species considered valid study revealed population okinawa actually composed distinct species confirmed genetic studies adams showed australia composed species findings indicate actually comprise similar closely related species believed cryptic species complex description like members genus reef easy distinguish possess thick muscular oval fins extend entire mantle fins extend mantle length mantle length width fins reef mistaken fact reflected scientific names narrow blue white line visible point attachment fins mantle ridge present fins meet squid reef cylindrical tapering blunt cone posterior mantle usually long males long females sexes reach maximum mantle length adult males weigh adult females sexes attain maximum documented weight forward margin mantle ventral concave eyes large covered entirely transparent secondary greenish base pair prominent ridges present ventral surface head rear edge eyes mouth area supported seven triangular flaps diameter teeth strong curved short black dark brown seven rows teeth males long wide ink sac pear shaped blue green outer layer rigid internal remnants shell oval shaped pointed ends broad arms thick tapering narrow point unequal length arm pair shortest followed arm pair arm pair arm pair iii longest possess rows diameter decreasing ring sharp acute teeth left arm pair males modified sexual organ known bear long portion thick long extending length mantle retracted slightly compressed prominent ridge keel present outer surface clubs wide tip rows club club larger centre widely spaced teeth coloration large densely cover upper surfaces head mantle arms distributed sparsely ventral fins possess underside living specimens range colour translucent white pale yellow brownish pink brownish violet like cephalopods reef capable rapidly changing body patterns voluntary control possess particularly head form structural produces metallic red illuminated possibly squid species type structural reflects ambient light white white light green green light reef remarkable having ability produce complex body patterns moment hatch comparison squid species produce complex body patterns months age patterns produced reef diverse caribbean reef reef possess truly sexual difficult distinguish male female reef authors females generally smaller males distinction observed studies closer examination sexually mature specimens usually distinguish males females presence fourth left arm males pale mantle females males conspicuous pattern transverse streaks dorsal ecology distribution habitat reef squid warm water dwelling squid usually found water surface tend remain close shoreline near rocks reefs slightly active night deeper waters find cover daytime large numbers juveniles found hiding beneath floating reef squid widespread species genus found temperate tropical regions indian_ocean western pacific_ocean original range extends east west red_sea north japan south australia new_zealand range expanded include parts mediterranean_sea reef documented southeastern mediterranean_sea existed significant populations area acquired common fishermen literally like squid reaching mediterranean_sea suez_canal diet predators reef squid eats variety different marine organisms main prey usually crustaceans fish captive specimens observed consume fish hours reef turn preyed predator fish parasites reef serve hosts worm like biology behaviour reef closely related caribbean reef squid species noted complex social interactions like caribbean reef reef exhibit elaborate mating displays reef exhibit schooling young reef stay close swim parallel schooling unlike squid species reef rarely include animals different sizes threat larger members attacking consuming smaller members reef recognise individually remains unknown reef exhibit strong positive behaviour attraction light readily certain distance light source studies proposed behaviour immediately stop movements light source switched colour light matter shown react strongly underwater lights peak ranges hearing reef common octopus octopus studied resolve century long debate cephalopods hear unlike fishes cephalopods possess air filled swim sound waves travelling water results published showed reef detecting vibrations organ primarily maintaining spatial orientation common octopus hear sounds reef slightly better hearing range hear best frequency relatively hearing comparable invertebrates sensitive fishes difference hearing ranges octopus reef explained difference habitats octopus dwelling excellent camouflage capabilities reef hand usually open water limited hiding places hearing important escape predators ability hear particularly relevant avoiding predators particularly use find prey mating behaviour reef exhibit common social body related mating dubbed increase visibility reducing rest body makes reproductive organs appear bright white transparent mantle indicate reproductive condition signalling squid common behaviour primarily seen males dubbed spread arms squid slightly tilt body forward head arms spread widely raised mantle behaviour exhibited chasing following individual thought signal reproductive aggression similar display behaviour intense display behaviour lateral display females use display males known courtship reef dubbed male mating male parallel mating head head mating actual position lasts seconds male mating involves rapid forth swimming male slower swimming female male flip swimming upside quickly forward female quickly funnel attempt deposit female mouth funnel jet away female head head mating regarded variation tactic male parallel mating involves male female swimming male raise arm pair upwards swing forth moves female female neck arms contrast previous position male actually mantle cavity female right opening mouth possibly reason usually successful female mating addition males engage behaviour scenario smaller male attach female mouth area courted larger male male behaviour successful male strategy usually chased away larger male usually remain embedded near mouth female mating usually occurs spawning happen spawning grounds cases male stay near female lays eggs males observed exhibit mating males males found numerous embedded mouth funnels reef distinguish sex visual cues form deception smaller males termed female males assumed body typical females order trick larger males believing females waste behaviour observed cephalopods reproduction life cycle main spawning season reef usually begins lay eggs year round spawning seasons vary location single female spawn lifetime females release eggs individual die soon females spawn passing eggs eggs coated gelatinous substances forming egg capsule egg reef contain eggs laid single straight strands rocks aquatic plants submerged branches surfaces point eggs diameter egg length width average weeks depending temperature warmer indonesia period recorded days thailand takes days gradually absorbing water reaching length width eggs remain white develop eggs undergo cell division reaching diameter developing embryo day hatching hatching mantle length excluding fully functioning fins ink resemble miniature adults strong swimmers exhibit schooling behaviour weeks hatching regarded main cause death young particularly dense populations usually happens eaten individuals weakened significantly dead actual cause death usually size ranging length reach sexual maturity days wild males reach sexual maturity earlier females captive populations males mature days hatching females begin spawning days hatching males females mature earlier captivity wild water temperature play important role earlier sexual maturation captive specimens high temperatures induce shorter smaller body sizes cooler temperatures favour longer larger individuals reef fastest recorded growth rates large marine reach months nonetheless size reliably age variations body size generation fairly common captivity reef lifespan days sexes economic importance commercial fishing human consumption reef commercially important squid species widely consumed human food usually caught large numbers fishing fixed net traps small scale fishing caught drive nets driven squid fishing operations reef particularly usually night bright lights taking advantage attraction illumination especially abundant moon weather populations reef seasonal year fish bait hook line fishing rapid growth rate short life span tolerance handling captivity reef regarded promising species studies reported commercial scale cultures research reef squid squid species generation remarkable ability readily adapt confined tanks squid species entire life span observed laboratory conditions reef valuable sources squid giant research physiology unlike animals squid large reef range diameter contrast typical humans life giant coordinate escape behaviour enabling squid contract muscles split second directly brain global warming reef adapt warmer temperatures laying eggs making good indicator species climate change conjunction rapid growth rates short reef squid populations rise dramatically response global warming play important role fishing industry forced adapt large numbers reef present area believed result squid natural predators australian scientist describes sea warmer waters accelerate squid expansion areas previously native recent discovery mediterranean_sea example
Bigfin reef squid