Bigfin reef squid - a closer look

Bigfin Reef Squid - A closer look
Bigfin reef squids grow up to 33 cm and have a short life of less than a year.
They breed in shoals during the day and separate at night to feed.
These nocturnal hunter feed on small fish and crustaceans.
During mating, male and female squid form close pairs that can last up to several days.
Prior to mating, male squid can become aggressive and they will battle other males using certain body patterns and postures to determine who will breed with the mature females.
Females can release up to 1000 eggs, in egg capsules that contain up to 13 eggs each.
Once the female lays eggs, her body deteriorates and she usually dies before she can mate again.
The eggs have a gestation period of between 15 and 22 days, depending on the temperature.
Over the past years we've seen reef squids but they usually kept a large distance to divers.
It was amazing how close you can get when they are in the middle of the nesting process.
We've seen larger schools of reef squids nesting on the reef for many days.
More information on:
www.nationalge...
seaunseen.com/...
animalcorner.o...
Ducks Dive Center, Mangrove Bay , El Quesier , Egypt
#BEZUF

[@niadavis9801]

Callie!

[@TheSupergerbil12]

Beautiful look into the lives of big fin reef squid ❤ working on an art project and greatly appreciate the reference material

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Amazing!