#cranch squid

(photo by David Shale)

This is a juvenile glass squid in the family Cranchiidae, which comprises approximately 60 species, also known as cranchiid or cranch squid. Cranchiid squid occur in surface and midwater depths of open oceans around the world. Like most squid, the juveniles of cranchiid squid live in surface waters, descending to deeper waters as they mature. The body shape of many species changes drastically between growth stages and many young examples could be confused for different species altogether. The common name, glass squid, derives from the transparent nature of most species. Squid are cephalopods (see these previous posts for more information).