Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.

Get Adobe Flash player
 

  • Nederlands
  • Deutsch
Search in the Encyclopedia

Dieren en planten

Molluscs   Cuttlefish   Curled octopus   Common cuttlefish   European squid   European common squid   Flying squid   

Long-finned squid

size:

up to 20 centimeters

color:

light gray with brown-purple spots

age:

1 to 2 years

food:

fish

enemies:

fish, dolphins, seals, seabirds and larger cuttlefish

reproduction:

sexual

  • Dut: Dwergpijlinktvis
  • Lat: Alloteuthis subulata
  • Eng: European common squid
  • Ger: Zwergkalmar
print print
Long-finned squid, Ecomare

European common squid

This small cuttlefish with its large eyes looks very innocent, however it is a predator. It hunts fish. Because the European common squid is such a good swimmer in turbulent water, it rarely washes ashore. Every once in awhile, you find one in a tideway in the summer. Strings of long-finned squid eggs are sometimes found on the beach. The cuttlebone is long and sharp, up to 10 centimeters in length. Cuttlebone from the males is much longer than from the females.

  • Distribution and habitat

    The European common squid is commonly found in the North Sea, the Wadden Sea and delta region. It lives as deep as 200 meters.