Common name: Inshore squid
General information
The Bigfin Reef Squid, Sepioteuthis lessoniana, is a striking cephalopod known for its large fins that run nearly the entire length of its mantle, giving it a distinctive appearance. This species is highly adaptable and can be found in a variety of marine environments, often near coral reefs. They are known for their rapid growth rate and short lifespan, which is typically around one year.
Bigfin Reef Squids are active predators and exhibit complex behaviors such as communication through changing skin colors and patterns. They are also popular among underwater photographers due to their curious nature and willingness to interact with divers.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 500 liter (130 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.023 to 1.026
- Temperature
- 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 7.8 to 8.4
- Average size
- 50 cm (1′8″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Requires large tank and pristine water
- Diet
- Carnivore Feeds on live or frozen shrimps, fish
- Reefsafe
- No May prey on small fish, inverts
- Aggression
- Semi aggresive Can be territorial, especially males
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumMollusksMollusca
- ClassCephalopodsCephalopoda
- OrderCommon SquidMyopsida
- FamilyCalamari SquidsLoliginidae
- GenusReef SquidSepioteuthis
- SpeciesInshore squidSepioteuthis lessoniana Lesson, 1830
- SynonymsSepioteuthis arctipinnis Gould, 1852Sepioteuthis brevis Owen, 1881Sepioteuthis doreiensis Quoy in Férussac & d'Orbigny, 1835Sepioteuthis guinensis Quoy & Gaimard, 1832Sepioteuthis hemprichi Ehrenberg, 1831Sepioteuthis indica Goodrich, 1896Sepioteuthis krempfi Robson, 1928Sepioteuthis lunulata Quoy & Gaimard, 1832Sepioteuthis malayana Wülker, 1913Sepioteuthis mauritiana Quoy & Gaimard, 1832Sepioteuthis neoguinaica Pfeffer, 1884Sepioteuthis sieboldi Joubin, 1898Sepioteuthis sinensis d'Orbigny, 1848
Care
Keeping Bigfin Reef Squids in a home aquarium is challenging and requires a specialized setup. They need a large tank with plenty of open swimming space and a tightly sealed lid, as they are known to escape from even small openings. Water quality must be pristine, and the tank should be equipped with efficient filtration systems to handle the waste produced by these active feeders.
Their diet should consist of live or frozen foods such as shrimp, fish, and crustaceans. It's important to provide a variety of foods to ensure proper nutrition. Squids are sensitive to changes in water parameters, so regular monitoring and maintenance are crucial.
Reproduction
In the wild, Bigfin Reef Squids engage in elaborate mating rituals involving color changes and posturing. After mating, females lay clusters of eggs on substrates such as coral branches or seagrass. In captivity, breeding Bigfin Reef Squids is difficult, and raising the paralarvae (early squid life stage) to adulthood is an even greater challenge due to their specific dietary and environmental needs.
Habitat
Sepioteuthis lessoniana is found in the warm waters of the Indo-Pacific region, from the Hawaiian Islands to the Red Sea and down to the northern coast of Australia. They are typically seen in shallow waters near coastal areas and coral reefs, where they hunt for their prey at night.