Animal Species:Diamondback Squid – Thysanoteuthis rhombus Troschel, 1857
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.
Size range
Body to 1m, weight up to 20kg.
Distribution
Found throughout tropical and sub-tropical waters world-wide.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Thysanoteuthis rhombus specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Habitat
Found near the surface of the open ocean, often in pairs or small schools.
Mating and reproduction
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.
Classification
- Species:
- rhombus
- Genus:
- Thysanoteuthis
- Family:
- Thysanoteuthidae
- Order:
- Teuthida
- Subclass:
- Coleoidea
- Class:
- Cephalopoda
- Phylum:
- Mollusca
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.
Allison Runck
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