Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Thysanoteuthis
    Species
    rhombus
    Family
    Thysanoteuthidae
    Super Family
    Thysanoteuthoidea
    Order
    Oegopsida
    Superorder
    Decapodiformes
    Subclass
    Coleoidea
    Class
    Cephalopoda
    Phylum
    Mollusca
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    Body to 1m, weight up to 20kg.

A very strong swimmer, this squid has been known to occasionally jump onto boats.

Identification

The common name for this species is derived from its large, distinctive diamond-shaped fin which extends along the whole length of the body. Unlike many other squids, Thysanoteuthis rhombus has no light organs. Their arms have two rows of suckers and wide protective webs along their length.

Habitat

Found near the surface of the open ocean, often in pairs or small schools.

Distribution

Found throughout tropical and sub-tropical waters world-wide.



Breeding behaviours

Like many other open-ocean squid, Thysanoteuthis rhombus females produce long sausage-like, transparent, floating egg masses. There is no planktonic stage, the young already possessing a full-length fin.

References

  • Norman, M., (2000) Cephalopods- A World Guide, ConchBooks, Germany (Hackenheim)
  • Roper, C.F.E., M.J. Sweeney & C.E. Nauen, (1984) FAO species catalogue. Vol. 3. Cephalopods of the World: An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species of interest to fisheries, FAO Fish Synopsis, 125(3): 1-277.

More information: