#cranchidae

[herpsandbirds]

Have you ever posted any pictures of the glass squid or glass octopus? They're some of my favorite cephalopods!!

Your blog is amazing btw, lots of fun to scroll through, very educational <3

I know what you need! You need some Cranchidae!!!

Cockatoo Squid (Galiteuthis phyllura), family Cranchidae, Monterey Bay, California, USA

photograph via: MBARI

Peacock Squid (Taonius borealis), 2 different individuals, family Cranchidae, Monterey Bay, California, USA

photograph via: MBARI

Piglet Squid (Helicocranchia sp.), family Cranchidae, off the coast of central California, USA

photograph via: MBARI

Googly-eyed Glass Squid (Teuthowenia pellucida), family Cranchidae, found in the deep oceans of the Southern Hemisphere

photograph by Gonzalo Giribet

Atlantic Glass Squid (Teuthowenia megalops), family Cranchidae, found in the sub-arctic and temperate regions of the Atlantic Ocean

photograph by George Sedberry, NOAA-OE 

[typhlonectes]

Of all the squids we encounter in the deep sea, the Cranchiids, known as the “glass” squids, are some of the most spectacular.

Their bodies are entirely transparent most of the time, but they can also become a dark intense red. Their eyes are relatively enormous and iridescent, glowing with strange and spectacular-looking light organs, also known as photophores. ⁠ ⁠ This individual was encountered at 597 meters (1,958 feet) below the surface in Monterey Canyon. They often hang motionless in the water column with their arms above their bodies.

via: Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)

[herpsandbirds]

Peacock Squid (Taonius borealis), 2 different individuals, family Cranchidae, Monterey Bay, California, USA

photograph via: MBARI

[herpsandbirds]

Cockatoo Squid (Galiteuthis phyllura), family Cranchidae, Monterey Bay, California, USA

photograph via: MBARI

[herpsandbirds]

Peacock Squid (Taonius sp.), family Cranchidae, Monterey Bay, California, USA

photograph via: MBARI

[herpsandbirds]

Piglet Squid (Helicocranchia sp.), family Cranchidae, off the coast of central California, USA

photograph via: MBARI

[herpsandbirds]

Cockatoo Squid (Galiteuthis phyllura), family Cranchidae, Monterey Bay, California, USA

photograph via: MBARI

[typhlonectes]

What's in a name?

This cranchiid squid, Helicocranchia, has quite a few nicknames from our deep-sea biologists. It's called the rastafarian, pig-nosed, helicopter-tailed, and hippo-squid, depending on who you ask, of course. What nickname would you give it? Learn more about this and other unusual deep-sea squid with MBARI's Deep-Sea Guide: http://dsg.mbari.org/dsg/view/concept/Cranchiidae

via:  Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)