Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body (mantle) cylindrical, long, slender, tip pointed, lateral fins longer than wide, exceeding 50% of mantle length in specimens with mantle length > 7 cm (2 3/4 in); outer edges at a blunt angle (not rounded), sides nearly straight; eyes nearly lateral; has a funnel behind the eyes; 8 short arms (shorter than mantle length) with suckers on the undersides extending the length of the arms; 2 longer tentacles with suckers only on the ends, ends spatulate shaped; mouth with beak-like teeth; color translucent with many reddish pigment cells (chromatophores) on entire body; the internal pen has a vane width/rachis width ratio of 2.4 or greater, edges are usually curved, usually with no ridges. |
Similar Species |
The longfin inshore squid is more slender and firmer than the brief squid, its mantle tip is hard and pointed; its fins are long and rhomboidal shaped, it usually more chromatophores than the brief squid; It is more slender with longer fins (usually >50% of mantle length) than the arrow squid; its pen is wider at the vane usually with curved edges and rarely with ridges; the pen of the arrow squid is narrower usually with straight edges and usually has ridges. |
Habitat |
Gulf, pelagic |
Maximum Size |
50 cm (19 3/4 in) mantle length; usually less than 30 cm (11 3/4 in) |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
Loligo pealeii, Loligo pealei |
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