Overview
Highly sought cephalopod, comes near shore at night attracted by light. Mainly present in autumn-winter.
Identification
Two longer tentacles than the othersMantle with wide, triangular finWell-developed large eyesChromatophores for color changeSiphon for jet movementLateral finsAbility to release inkStrong beak
- Body
- Elongated and tapered body, equipped with a lateral fin that covers almost the entire mantle.
- Colouration
- Coloring varies from light pink to brown, with the ability to change color rapidly.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Not very evident, males are slightly larger.
- Growth
- rapid with fast development during favorable seasons
Taxonomy
- Family
- Loliginidae
- Order
- Myopsida
- Class
- Cephalopoda
Related species
Loligo forbesiiSepia officinalisOctopus vulgarisSepioteuthis sepioideaIllex coindetii
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, open_sea
- Preferred bottom
- sand, mud, reef
- Geographic distribution
- Found in the Mediterranean, along the western European coasts up to the North Sea.
- Micro-habitat
- Attracted by light at night, it hides among rocks and crevices during the day.
Prefers sandy and muddy bottoms but moves to reefs during reproduction.
Presence by sea area
Tirreno NordPeak
Tirreno CentroPeak
Tirreno SudPeak
Adriatico NordPeak
Adriatico CentroPeak
Adriatico SudPeak
Ionio NordPeak
Ionio CentroPeak
Sardegna OvestPeak
Sardegna EstPeak
Sicilia TirrenoPeak
Sicilia Ionio CanalePeak
Eu Mediterraneo OvestPeak
Eu Mediterraneo EstPeak
Eu Atlantico NePeak
Eu Golfo BiscagliaPeak
Eu Mare NordPeak
Eu ManicaPeak
As Mar GiapponePeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- small fish, crustaceans, other cephalopods
- Secondary prey
- annelids, bivalve mollusks, gastropods
- Occasional prey
- plankton, small octopuses
- Feeding behaviour
- Active predator, primarily hunts at night using its tentacles to grab prey.
- Natural predators
- mackerel, tuna, larger fish, seabirds, dolphins
Ability to adapt its diet to a wide range of prey.
Behaviour
- Activity
- nocturnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Makes seasonal migrations from deep waters to the coast for spawning.
- Seasonal behaviour
- More active during the autumn and winter months when it approaches the shore.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles are found near the surface, easily preyed upon by fish and seabirds.
- Adults
- Adults display complex social behaviors during courtship.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- October, November, December
- Spawning depth
- between 20 and 60 meters
- Eggs
- Spawns eggs in gelatinous masses attached to the substrate, initially pelagic.
- Larval stage
- Planktonic larvae that drift with marine currents.
- Sexual maturity
- 1-2 years
When to catch European squid
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
Daytramonto, crepuscolo
Nightnotte, tarda sera
This species shows peak fishing activity in winter, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in spring and summer, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Atmospheric pressure
Low
Low pressure pushes squid towards the coast. Excellent time for eging.
Medium
Stable pressure favors approaching shore at night. Regular activity.
High
With high pressure stays deep. Less active near shore.
Barometric trend
Water temperature
6°COptimal zone: 11-18°C22°C
Preferred tide: low
Where to catch it
Best spots
lagoonsreefsbaystidal zones
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
trollingbottom fishingsquid fishingunderwater fishing
Other applicable
EgingBolentinoPesca A FondoSquid JiggingTatakiEging LentoEging NotturnoEging Pesante
Recommended baits
imitations of small fishartificial shrimpunderwater lightscolored squids
Baits by pressure
Low
Egi naturale 2.5-3.0Egi rosa/arancioTotanara piombataEgi fosforescenteEgi scuro/verdePiuma biancaSabiki fluorescente
Medium
Gambero vivoTrancio di sardinaPesciolino vivo
High
Egi naturale 2.5-3.0Egi rosa/arancioTotanara piombata
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- When hooked, it darts around trying to escape and releases ink as a defense mechanism.
- Handling
- Handle carefully to avoid the tentacles and lack of ink.
- Release
- Quickly release into water, ensuring it can swim away freely.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The squid, Loligo vulgaris, can reach a maximum length of over 50 cm and a weight of 1.5 kg. In the Mediterranean, large specimens are often considered excellent catches by sport fishermen.
- In the kitchen
- A main ingredient in many Mediterranean dishes, including fried dishes and seafood salads.
- Cultural notes
- Often a feature in legends of sea monsters and famous for its intelligence.
- Historical notes
- Fished since ancient times for its nutritional value and as a source of ink.
