Market Squid
Loligo opalescens

Physical Description

  • A smaller squid, they reach a total of one foot in length including their arms
  • Iridescent coloration of milky white and purple spots; can change color in response to their environment
  • Eight arms and two tentacles extending from the end of their bodies where their mouth is located
  • Can release ink to escape a predator
  • Juveniles: called paralarvae when they hatch; they resemble miniature adults

Range

  • From southeastern Alaska to Baja California, Mexico
  • Most abundant from Monterey Bay, California to Punta Eugenia, Baja California, Mexico

Habitat

  • Nearshore species
  • From ocean surface to 2600 feet deep. Spend days at depth and come to surface at night to feed
  • Adults come to sandy habitats to lay eggs

Reproduction

  • They reproduce right before they die, at about one year old
  • Spawning is year-round, with spawning April-October in Central California and October-May in Southern California
  • Spawning grounds are sandy habitats, where they gather in large schools
  • Males deposit spermatophores into females to fertilize eggs; eggs are deposited on sand in mounds of egg cases
  • Each female lays about 20 egg cases of 200 eggs each
  • Eggs take days to months to hatch, depending on water temperature

Diet

  • Feed on krill, small crustaceans, small fish, and other squid

Predators

  • Eaten by many fish, including salmon, lingcod, and rockfish
  • Eaten by seabirds and marine mammals

Interesting Facts

  • Market squid have a short life span, only 6-9 months, and the entire population replaces itself annually.
  • They are heavily impacted by water temperature, with many less squid during El Niño events.
  • The market squid fishery is one of the largest fisheries in the United States and the most financially valuable fishery in California.

Sources: NOAA Fisheries; fishchoice.com

Photo: David R Andrew

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