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Bobtail Squid / "Octosquid" / Stubby Squid (Rossia pacifica)
The “Octosquid” is also known as the “Bobtail Squid” or “Stubby Squid” (Rossia pacifica). The species ranges across the northern Pacific Ocean. These cephalopods are neither squid nor octopods; they are believed to be allied a little more closely with the cuttlefish; however, they don’t have the cuttlebone that cuttlefish use for body support and buoyancy. While these cool animals spend the majority of their time on the ocean floor, they do swim into the water column above the bottom at least from time to time. How do I know that? A squid trawling ship in Japan was trawling in deep water but they were using a net that never touches the bottom – and this species was included in the bycatch. This individual was photographed in the Sea of Japan, 2006.
''Rossia pacifica'', also known as the stubby squid, is a species of bobtail squid native to the northern Pacific Ocean. Seen in winter on sandy slopes away from strong currents in moderately shallow water, it moves in summer to deeper water where it breeds. The female cements the egg capsules under a stone or in some other concealed location, and both male and female die soon after breeding.
