Cephalopod · bobtail squid

Odd bobtail squid

Heteroteuthis dispar

PacificAtlanticIndianSouthernArctic Found in 3 oceans

Depth

Adults mostly around 200 to 300 m, down to about 1,600 m

Size

Mantle 2.5 cm at most

Diet

Small crustaceans and small fish

Zone

Twilight zone · 200 – 1,000 m

Key facts

• Instead of black ink, it spits out a glowing cloud to dazzle its enemies.
• Its light organ is located in its mantle, on the ink sac.
• It is one of the most common small cuttlefish offshore in the Mediterranean. It lives in groups.
• Dolphins, sharks, swordfish and tuna eat it.

Verified sources

1. FAO, Cephalopods of the World vol. 1 : Sepiolidae
2. SeaLifeBase : Heteroteuthis dispar
3. The Cephalopod Page : Heteroteuthis dispar

In the game: Prey: +10 points

In the same zone

LanternfishFamily Myctophidae HatchetfishArgyropelecus sp. Jewel squidHistioteuthis sp. PyrosomePyrosoma atlanticum Deep-sea red shrimpAcanthephyra purpurea Velvet belly lanternsharkEtmopterus spinax