Cephalopoda |
Sepiida |
Sepiolidae | Rossiinae
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Bathydemersal; depth range 40 - 1535 m (Ref. 1695). Tropical; 66°N - 55°S, 60°W - 36°E (Ref. 107071)
Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean: from southwest Iceland to Southern Africa and Falkland Islands.
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm Max length : 5.1 cm ML male/unsexed; (Ref. 1695); 8.3 cm ML (female)
Most bathyal among the members of the family. Demersal. Prefers deep muddy bottoms characterized by Isidella elongata populations, often overlapping with Rossia macrosoma in the upper level of its distributional range and frequently associated with Sepietta oweniana and Rondeletiola minor. In the western Mediterranean, it is the most common cephalopod captured between 1000 and 2000 m, along with Bathypolypus sponsalis but is most abundant between 400 and 600 to 700 m in both eastern and western parts of this sea. Mature individuals found throughout the year suggest an extended spawning season. Its large eggs (8-10 mm diameter and covered by a hard violet-coloured coating), are attached to hard substrates at various depths. Lifespan approximated between 12 and 24 months. Usually taken as trawl fishery bycatch; of minor commercial importance. Sold fresh and frozen in fish markets with other bobtail squids (Ref. 1695).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Members of the class Cephalopoda are gonochoric. Male and female adults usually die shortly after spawning and brooding, respectively. Mating behavior: Males perform various displays to attract potential females for copulation. During copulation, male grasp the female and inserts the hectocotylus into the female's mantle cavity where fertilization usually occurs. Life cycle: Embryos hatch into planktonic stage and live for some time before they grow larger and take up a benthic existence as adults.
Jereb, P. and C.F.E. Roper (eds.) 2005 Cephalopods of the world. An Annotated and Illustrated catalogue of Cephalopod species known to date. Vol. 1. Chambered nautiluses and sepioids (Nautilidae, Sepiidae, Sepiolidae, Sepiadariidae, Idiosepiidae and Spirulidae). FAO Spec. Cat. Fish. Purp. 4(1):262p. Rome: FAO. (Ref. 1695)
IUCN Red List Status
(Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
CITES status (Ref. 108899)
Not Evaluated
Not Evaluated
Threat to humans
Human uses
Fisheries: minor commercial
| FishSource |
Tools
More information
Trophic EcologyFood items (preys)
Diet composition
Food consumption
Predators
Life cycleReproductionMaturityFecunditySpawningEggsEgg developmentLarvae PhysiologyOxygen consumption
Human RelatedStamps, coins, misc.
Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature
(Ref.
115969): 5.4 - 14.2, mean 11.4 (based on 375 cells).
Fishing Vulnerability
Low vulnerability (10 of 100).
Price category
Unknown.
