Atlantic brief squid
Lolliguncula brevis
Southern Reef Squid
Sepioteuthis australis
About
A ghost-like shape hovering over a seagrass bed by night, the southern reef squid can weigh up to a kilogram and is one of the most commonly seen squid on southern Australian and New Zealand reefs.
Also known as: southern calamari, southern calamari squid, broad squid
- Weight
- max 1 kg
- Depth
- up to 10 m
How to tell it apart
Several squid species share these shallow reefs. Look for the diamond fin running nearly the full length of the mantle with a pale glowing streak at its base, a combination other local squid do not share.
Appearance
The mantle, the squid's main body tube, is sturdy and tapers to a blunt point. A pair of diamond-shaped fins runs along almost its entire length, wider than half as long as they are. In life the squid looks semi-transparent, but if it is caught and lifted from the water it quickly turns a uniform orange-brown or rust colour. Where the fins meet the body there is a pale white or bluish streak that glows faintly.
Habitat
It lives over sandy areas, seagrass beds and reefs in shallow water down to about 10 metres. It is mostly active at night and often gathers in small groups.
Did you know?
A single string of this squid's eggs is often fertilised by three different males, the result of small "sneaker" males sneaking in to mate while larger males are busy fighting each other off.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
