Good Fish Guide
Argentine shortfin squid
(Illex argentinus)
Also known as: Calamari
Overview
Illex argentinus is a short lived species (between 1 and 2 years) of squid that is primarily found around the slope of the continental shelf in the southwest Atlantic Ocean. It can be found in the open ocean (epipelagic to mesopelagic), from the surface to about 800m depth off the coasts of Brazil, Argentina and the Falkland Islands (approximately 30 degrees S to 50 degrees S). In autumn and winter (April to September) it is abundant on the lower shelf (50 to 200m depth). The species is fast growing and short-lived, reaching sexual maturity within one year. The species reproduces once in its lifetime via internal fertilisation (spawning between December and March), laying egg cases on the sea floor. Maximum mantle length is 33 cm; sexual maturity is reached at a total length of about 24 cm and total length averages about 40cm in the summer following spawning. The species forms extremely dense aggregations, and is captured in fisheries by the tonne . I. argentinus are active predators of fishes such as juvenile hakes, pelagic crabs and shrimps; and themselves form important prey for a wide range of marine life including fin fishes, seabirds (including locally endangered and vulnerable albatross and petrels), sharks and cetaceans .
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