Southern Shortfin Squid [Illex coindetii]
Description
Illex coindetii, commonly known as the Southern Shortfin Squid, is a medium-sized squid belonging to the family Ommastrephidae. This species is widely distributed in the Eastern Atlantic from the North Sea to the Gulf of Guinea, and also found in the Mediterranean and Black Seas. It has a mantle length of up to 40 cm. The body is elongated and slender with a cylindrical shape. The squid is reddish-brown to purple in color. It has a short fin that extends over half the length of the body. The Southern Shortfin Squid is a fast swimmer and has been known to jump out of the water when pursued. It feeds on small fish and other squid.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Mollusks
Mollusca
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Squids, Octopuses, and Cuttlefish
Cephalopoda
|
| Order |
Squids
Teuthida
|
| Family |
Ommastrephids
Ommastrephidae
|
| Genus |
Southern Shortfin Squid
Hyaloteuthis
|