Department of Pacific flying market

They belong to the Ommastrephidae squid family. They live in the northern part of the Pacific Ocean, around the waters of Japan, along the coast of China and Russia, south of the coast of Alaska and Canada. This squid species also lives in central Vietnam.

The adult squid has one and the difference: a membrane covering the entire organ of the ink. They have two fins, but not when flying. The ink has a tap, which is essentially a muscle, which takes water from this side and pushes the water out from the other side: this is also the flight mechanism of the ink. The ink has 8 legs and 2 tentacles. Between the fringes is the mouth, in the mouth is somewhat like tongue and teeth, it has up to 3 hearts.

This species can weigh up to 0.5kg, length up to 50cm, male is usually smaller than female.

Flying squid often live in waters near the sea, with temperatures between 5 and 27 degrees. They can fly about 30 meters above the water surface to avoid enemies and save energy when migrating.

Squid usually live about 1 year, before spawning and dying. Males usually mature first and transmit sperm to immature females.

This species of squid is difficult to study in the laboratory because it seems to be stressed when separated. They eat plankton until they can eat fish and crustaceans, even they eat each other.