Neon Flying Squid
Latin Name
Ommastrephes bartrami
Group Name
Invertebrates
Habitat
Neon flying squids inhabit the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. In the Pacific, they can be found from the Aleutian Islands to Central America in the east, and from Kamchatka to China in the west, with a distinct population near Australia. In the eastern Atlantic, their range extends from Scandinavia to the western coast of Africa, while in the western Atlantic, they are found from Newfoundland and Labrador to the northern coast of South America, as well as in the southern Atlantic. They are also present in the western Indian Ocean. These squids typically gather near cold-water fronts to feed at the surface at night, and during the day, they descend to depths of over 300 meters.
Species Description
Like other squid, neon flying squids have large eyes, 10 arms, and two feeding tentacles. They feature a thick, muscular mantle and short tentacles, with a mauve coloration and silver or gold on their underside. Females are larger than males, reaching a maximum mantle length of about 50 centimeters and weighing up to 5.3 kilograms. Their lifespan is approximately one year.
