Cranchiidae
| Cranchiidae | |
|---|---|
| Cranchiid squid juvenile found in Antarctica | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Cephalopoda |
| Order: | Oegopsida |
| Superfamily: | Cranchioidea |
| Family: | Cranchiidae Prosch, 1847 |
| Subfamilies | |
| |
| Synonyms | |
The family Cranchiidae comprises the approximately 60 species of glass squid, also known as cockatoo squid, bathyscaphoid squid, cranch squid, or simply cranchiids. The common name "glass squid" derives from the transparent bodies of most species. Cranchiid squid occur in surface and midwater depths of open oceans around the world. Cranchiid squid spend much of their lives in partially sunlit shallow waters, where their transparency provides camouflage.
Like most squid, the juveniles of cranchiid squid live in surface waters, descending to deeper waters as they mature. Some species live over 2 km below sea level. The body shape of many species changes drastically between growth stages, and many young examples could be confused for different species altogether. The family ranges in mantle length from 10 cm (3.9 in) to over 3 m (9.8 ft), in the case of the colossal squid, which is the largest invertebrate alive.
The type genus of the family, Cranchia, is named for English naturalist John Cranch. Cranchiid squid are of no interest to commercial fisheries.