Distinguishing Characteristics |
Body (mantle) cylindrical, stout, bluntly rounded at tip; lateral fins short, broad, rounded, wider than long; eyes nearly lateral; has a funnel behind the eyes; 8 short arms (shorter than mantle length) with sucker 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 purple-red pigment cells (chromatophores) on entire body. |
Similar Species |
The brief squid mantle is floppy, not as slender as other squids, has a blunt mantle tip, and is usually not as pigmented as the other squids. |
Habitat |
Gulf and bay |
Maximum Size |
12.7 cm (5 in) mantle length |
Other Common Names |
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Previous Scientific Names |
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Comments |