Classification / Names Common names | Synonyms | CoL | ITIS | WoRMS

Cephalopoda | Sepiida | Sepiolidae | Sepiolinae

Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range Ecology

Benthopelagic; depth range 42 - 701 m (Ref. 114857), usually 120 - 200 m (Ref. 843). Temperate; 70°N - 16°N, 18°W - 37°E (Ref. 106954)

Distribution Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Introductions

Eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Western Indian Ocean: from Norway to Mauritania and the Indian Ocean.

Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age

Maturity: L_m ? range ? - ? cm Max length : 5.0 cm ML male/unsexed; (Ref. 3722); 4 cm ML (female)

An epipelagic-mesopelagic species, occurring within a wide depth range, from close to the surface (8 m) down to over 1000 m. Common depth range in the North Atlantic is between 50 and 300 m; and between 100-200 and 400 m in the Mediterranean. Prefers soft, muddy substrates, often on shrimp fishing grounds. Never found in brackish waters. Vertical movement of this species is linked to trophic relationships. Feeding occurs primarily from dusk to dawn, with adult animals spending the day buried in the bottom substrate. Feeds mainly on crustaceans, notably on euphausiids, and the decapod Pasiphaea sivado in the northern Tyrrhenian Sea. Undergoes seasonal movements related to reproduction. Spawning most likely continuous throughout the year, with reported peaks in reproductive activity in several different areas. Mating takes place head-to-head, generally in shallow coastal waters. Both viable and unviable eggs are deposited in various solid substrates, preferably on ascidians (Microcosmus). Eggs hatch in about 2 months. Its short lifecycle is range from between 6 to 9 months. Preyed upon by several demersal fish and occasionally by cetaceans. Successfully cultured in aquaria. Abundant in the Mediterranean Sea and represents an important bycatch of many trawl fisheries. Commonly sold on Mediterranean markets, most abundant in summer, and is valued as a delicacy in certain areas such as in southern Sicily (Ref. 1695).

Life cycle and mating behavior Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae

Members of the class Cephalopoda are gonochoric. Male and female adults usually die shortly after spawning and brooding, respectively. Mating behavior: Males perform various displays to attract potential females for copulation. During copulation, male grasp the female and inserts the hectocotylus into the female's mantle cavity where fertilization usually occurs. Life cycle: Embryos hatch into planktonic stage and live for some time before they grow larger and take up a benthic existence as adults.

Main reference References | Coordinator | Collaborators

Roper, C.F.E., M.J. Sweeney and C.E. Nauen. 1984. (Ref. 275)

IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)

Data deficient (DD) ; Date assessed: 30 March 2009

CITES status (Ref. 108899)

Not Evaluated

CMS (Ref. 116361)

Not Evaluated

Threat to humans

Human uses

| FishSource |

Tools

E-book | Field guide

More information

Countries
FAO areas
Ecosystems
Occurrences
Introductions
Stocks
Ecology
Diet
Food items

Common names
Synonyms
Predators
Reproduction
Maturity
Spawning
Fecundity
Eggs
Egg development

Age/Size
Growth
Length-weight
Length-length
Morphology
Larvae
Abundance

References
Mass conversion

Collaborators
Pictures

Internet sources

Estimates based on models

Preferred temperature (Ref. 115969): 7.1 - 15.3, mean 10.6 (based on 200 cells).

Vulnerability (Ref. 71543): Low vulnerability (10 of 100).

Price category (Ref. 80766): Unknown.

Sepietta oweniana (d'Orbigny, 1841)