description Slender Inshore Squid (Doryteuthis plei) Overview
Doryteuthis plei, commonly referred to as the slender inshore squid, is a species of loliginid squid native to the western Atlantic Ocean. Its range extends from the Caribbean Sea down to southeastern Brazil, favoring coastal and tropical waters. This squid is relatively small, reaching mantle lengths of around 20 centimeters, and often forms dense schools near the shore. It is an important species in regional seafood markets and is subject to significant commercial fishing operations.
help Slender Inshore Squid (Doryteuthis plei) FAQ
Where is Doryteuthis plei found?
The slender inshore squid lives in warm tropical and subtropical waters of the western Atlantic, including the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. A 2013 species account gives a broad range from about 36 degrees north to 35 degrees south. [USF species account](https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/fac_publications/472/)
How large can a slender inshore squid become?
Doryteuthis plei can reach about 370 millimeters in mantle length, or roughly 37 centimeters. Mantle length is measured from the mantle opening to the tip and is not the squid's full body length. [USF species account](https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/fac_publications/472/)
Why is Doryteuthis plei also called arrow squid?
Adults have a slender body, a pointed mantle, and large fins extending more than half the body length, which gives the animal an arrow-like profile. Field guides also distinguish it from the longfin inshore squid, Doryteuthis pealeii, by its firmer, more pointed mantle. [NOAA species account](https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/38357/noaa_38357_DS1.pdf)
Is the slender inshore squid important to fisheries?
Yes, it is both a predator and prey species and supports local fisheries in parts of its range. NOAA records capture by trawling and by lights with dip nets, while studies also describe fisheries in Venezuela and Brazil. [NOAA species account](https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/38357/noaa_38357_DS1.pdf)
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