Best Ommastrephidae

The Humboldt squid is a large, predatory marine cephalopod native to the eastern Pacific Ocean, particularly the waters of the Humboldt Current. Capable of exceeding two meters in length, it is a highly adaptable predator that feeds on fish, crustaceans, and other squids. This species is known for i...

The Japanese flying squid, Todarodes pacificus, is a migratory cephalopod belonging to the family Ommastrephidae that inhabits the Northwest Pacific Ocean. It is renowned for its ability to glide above the water's surface using jet propulsion to escape predators. This species undergoes extensive mig...

The neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) is a large species of pelagic squid found in the tropical and temperate waters of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. It possesses a muscular mantle and can grow to considerable lengths, making it a significant target for commercial fisheries. Like other m...

The Argentine shortfin squid (Illex argentinus) is a species of oceanic squid found primarily in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean, particularly around the Patagonian Shelf. It is a short-lived, fast-growing species that forms massive aggregations, making it a primary target for one of the world's lar...

The purpleback flying squid (Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis) is a widely distributed species of ommastrephid squid found throughout the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific. It is characterized by a dark purple stripe along its dorsal mantle and exhibits significant variation in body size across its ra...

Sthenoteuthis pteropus, commonly known as the purple-back flying squid, is a large oceanic cephalopod belonging to the family Ommastrephidae. It is distributed across tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The squid is distinguished by its striking purple dorsal coloration and a prom...

The sevenstar flying squid is an ommastrephid squid species native to the Southern Ocean, particularly around subantarctic and Antarctic waters. It is scientifically recognized as Martialia hyadesi and is noted for possessing seven distinctive photophores on its ventral side. This species plays a si...

The northern shortfin squid is a species of squid found in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Newfoundland to Florida. It is a highly migratory and short-lived species, typically surviving for less than a year. As a commercially important marine resource, it is harvested extensively by inter...

Eucleoteuthis luminosa, commonly known as the luminous flying squid, is an ommastrephid cephalopod found across the tropical and subtropical regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is the sole recognized species within its genus and is notable for its strong bioluminescent capabilities. The squ...

The European flying squid (Todarodes sagittatus) is a large ommastrephid squid found across the North Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. Adults reach mantle lengths of approximately 75 cm, placing it among the larger commercially significant squid species in the region. Like other members of Omma...

The Gould's squid, also known as the arrow squid, is a species found in the waters of southern Australia and New Zealand. It is a significant target for commercial fisheries, which catch it using trawling and jigging methods. This squid is migratory, moving in response to ocean conditions.

The Wellington flying squid (Nototodarus sloanii) is a species of ommastrephid squid found predominantly in the marine waters surrounding New Zealand, particularly around the South Island and the Chatham Rise. As a highly active pelagic predator, it plays a significant ecological role in regional oc...

Ornithoteuthis volatilis, commonly called the bird squid, is an ommastrephid squid distributed across tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific. The common name references its observed habit of leaping out of the water. Like other ommastrephids, it is a muscular, fast-swimming squid occupy...

Todarodes pacificus is a species of squid in the family Ommastrephidae widely distributed across the northwest Pacific Ocean. Known as the Japanese flying squid, it supports significant fisheries in Japan, China, and South Korea. The species undertakes seasonal migrations and is capable of brief gli...

Todarodes filippovae, commonly known as the southern flying squid, is a species of ommastrephid squid native to the Southern Ocean and subantarctic regions of the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific. It is a moderately large squid that plays a significant ecological role as a key prey item for various marine...

Hyaloteuthis pelagica, known as the glassy flying squid, is a small, nearly transparent species of ommastrephid squid found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide. It is the only recognized species in its genus and is notably common in the Atlantic Ocean. This pelagic squid is often found at o...

Todarodes sagittatus, the European flying squid, is a pelagic squid of the family Ommastrephidae found in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. It has a muscular mantle and is a strong swimmer, like other flying squids that move rapidly by jet propulsion. As the largest ommastrephid...

Illex coindetii, commonly known as the broadtail shortfin squid, is a species of ommastrephid squid widely distributed across both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and throughout the Mediterranean Sea. As a rapidly growing species with a short lifespan, it plays a substantial role in commercial fisheries...

Small flying squid of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean, distinguished from larger ommastrephids by its compact size and broader distribution across coastal shelf waters.

Gould's flying squid native to southern Australian waters; a commercially important ommastrephid and key prey for seabirds, fur seals, and pelagic fish such as tuna.

Ommastrephes bartramii, the neon flying squid, is a large oceanic ommastrephid distributed across subtropical and temperate oceans worldwide and targeted by Pacific squid fisheries.

An ommastrephid squid of the Indo-Pacific, one of several Ornithoteuthis species distinguished by a compact muscular mantle and occurring in oceanic tropical waters.

An ommastrephid squid of the western North Atlantic, closely related to the commercially fished Illex illecebrosus and occurring from the Gulf of Mexico to the U.S. Northeast.

Dosidicus gigas, the Humboldt squid, is a large aggressive predator of the eastern Pacific's Humboldt Current, reaching 1.5 m and caught in major South American fisheries.

An ommastrephid squid found in the eastern Atlantic off the west African coast, particularly in Angolan waters, contributing to regional coastal and artisanal fisheries.

Purpleback flying squid of the Indo-Pacific; one of the largest ommastrephids, capable of brief aerial gliding, with documented mantle lengths exceeding 60 cm.

Wellington flying squid native to New Zealand and southern Australian waters; a major commercial ommastrephid supporting one of New Zealand's largest invertebrate fisheries.

A loliginid squid of the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea, distinguished by its notably muscular mantle relative to congeners, as reflected in the species epithet 'musculosa.'

A small ommastrephid squid (family Ommastrephidae) distributed across the Indo-Pacific, representing one of the smallest species in an otherwise commercially important flying-squid family.