Cranchiidae

Alternate names: cockatoo squid, lightbulb squid

Author: unknown

Representative image using: Taonius

MBARI 2001: T263-04

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Representative image using: Galiteuthis phyllura

MBARI 2014: D605

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Representative image using: Taonius borealis

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Representative image using: Helicocranchia

MBARI 2003: T547-03

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Representative image using: Leachia danae

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Representative image using: Cranchia scabra

MBARI 2007: V3078-04

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Description

General: Often appear to have bloated bodies and short arms. Often observed in the "cockatoo posture" with the arms and tentacles folded back over the head.

Size: 10 cm to 2 m (mantle length).

Geographic Information

Published depth range: 200 to 1,000 m

Ocean range (global): Worldwide in tropical and temperate waters; also known from the Arctic and Southern Oceans.

Additional Information

References

Encyclopedia of Life

Tree of Life

World Register of Marine Species

National Center for Biotechnology Information

MBA Link Notes (unverified)

Media

Phylogenetic Image Gallery

Data Products

Annotated Images

Citation: Cranchiidae (unknown) Deep-Sea Guide (DSG) at http://dsg/mbari.org/dsg/view/concept/Cranchiidae. Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). Consulted on 2025-11-03.

Deep-Sea Guide Home Browse Taxonomy Image Compare Data Use About Contact
Cranchiidae Alternate names: cockatoo squid, lightbulb squid Author: unknown Representative image using: Taonius MBARI 2001: T263-04 Click here for a larger image. Representative image using: Galiteuthis phyllura MBARI 2014: D605 Click here for a larger image. Representative image using: Taonius borealis Click here for a larger image. Representative image using: Helicocranchia MBARI 2003: T547-03 Click here for a larger image. Representative image using: Leachia danae Click here for a larger image. Representative image using: Cranchia scabra MBARI 2007: V3078-04 Click here for a larger image. Taxonomy: Eukaryota (superkingdom) Animalia (kingdom) Mollusca (phylum) Cephalopoda (class) Coleoidea (subclass) Decapodiformes (superorder) Teuthoidea (order) Oegopsida (suborder) Cranchiidae (family) Cranchia (genus) Leachia (genus) Liocranchia (genus) Taoniinae (subfamily) Description General: Often appear to have bloated bodies and short arms. Often observed in the "cockatoo posture" with the arms and tentacles folded back over the head. Size: 10 cm to 2 m (mantle length). Geographic Information Published depth range: 200 to 1,000 m Ocean range (global): Worldwide in tropical and temperate waters; also known from the Arctic and Southern Oceans. Additional Information References Encyclopedia of Life Tree of Life World Register of Marine Species National Center for Biotechnology Information MBA Link Notes (unverified) Media Phylogenetic Image Gallery Data Products Annotated Images Citation: Cranchiidae (unknown) Deep-Sea Guide (DSG) at http://dsg/mbari.org/dsg/view/concept/Cranchiidae. Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI). Consulted on 2025-11-03.
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