About the Species

Longfin inshore squid are a common invertebrate along the eastern coast of North America, from Newfoundland to the Gulf of Venezuela. They are active predators, schooling along the continental shelf feeding mostly on small crabs.  They will however eat a variety of different organisms, including large zooplankton as juveniles, and small fish as adults. These squid can consume prey larger than themselves, and will eat others of their own species.

Longfin squid have a short lifespan, rarely living past a year.  They grow very quickly, and die soon after reproduction (usually between 6-9 months).  Males grow larger than females, but usually can only reach about 50 cm in length.  They spawn year-round, with peak reproductivity in winter and summer.  The females lay egg capsules, that contain about 200 eggs each, in sticky clusters on top of substrate or attached to rocks or algae. The population makes seasonal migrations that are driven by water temperatures in the benthic zone; they move offshore during late autumn to overwinter along the edge of the continental shelf, and return close to shore for the spring and early summer. For more information on the longifn inshore squid, visit their NOAA species profile here.