California Market Squid
Doryteuthis (Loligo) opalescens
Also known as Squid, Pacific loligo squid, Opalescent inshore squid
Culinary Profile
Mild, and subtly sweet.
Cooked squid is firm.
Squid are an excellent source of selenium, riboflavin, and vitamin B12.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Market squid are members of the mollusk family known as cephalopods, which means foot-on-head. They have eight arms and two tentacles that extend from the ends of their bodies where their mouths are located. They have a mixed, iridescent coloration of milky white and purple, but their coloring can change in response to environmental conditions.
Biology
Market squid are fast-growing animals with a short natural life span. They reach up to 1 foot in total length, including their arms. They reproduce right before they die, around the age of 1 year. They spawn year-round. Spawning occurs April through October in central California and October through the end of April or May in southern California.
Where They Live
Range Market squid are found from the tip of Baja California to southeastern Alaska, but are most abundant between Punta Eugenia in Baja California and Monterey Bay, California. Habitat Market squid live in the water column from the surface to depths of 2,600 feet. They prefer the salty ocean and are rarely found in estuaries, bays, or river mouths.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Year-round.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from California.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
In 2023, commercial landings of market squid totaled 52.3 million pounds and were valued at $30 million, according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Purse seines and scoop nets are used to harvest market squid. Habitat and bycatch impacts are minimal because the gear is used at the surface around dense schools of fish, which usually contain only one species. Fishermen usually fish for market squid at night directly above the spawning grounds where females lay their eggs. Squid seiners typically work with light boats—smaller vessels with several high-powered lights pointed from various angles. The lights attract groups of spawning squid to surface waters.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 111 Species
Where California Market Squid ranks against the rest of the catalogue on each of USDA FoodData Central's per-100 g nutrient measures.
| Nutrient | Value | Rank | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zinc | 1.53 mg | 11 / 111 | 90% |
| Choline | 65 mg | 12 / 65 | 82% |
| Selenium | 44.8 µg | 16 / 106 | 85% |
| Phosphorus | 221 mg | 39 / 111 | 65% |
| Omega-3 DHA | 342 mg | 42 / 104 | 60% |
| Omega-3 EPA | 146 mg | 44 / 104 | 58% |
| Iron | 0.68 mg | 52 / 111 | 53% |
| Vitamin B12 | 1.3 µg | 68 / 106 | 36% |
| Protein | 15.58 g | 88 / 111 | 21% |
Other West Coast Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as California Market Squid.
Lingcod
Ophiodon elongatus
A mild-tasting fish.
Northern Anchovy
Engraulis mordax
Canned or salted anchovies have a pronounced, salty tang, and fresh anchovies have a rich but subtle taste and a soft te…
Pacific Mackerel
Scomber japonicus
Rich with a pronounced flavor.
Pacific Sardine
Sardinops sagax caerulea
When fresh, small sardines have a delicate flavor. Larger sardines have a fuller, oilier flavor, similar to anchovies bu…
Pacific Whiting
Mercluccius productus
Mild and slightly sweet.
Widow Rockfish
Sebastes entomelas
Delicate, nutty flavor.
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of California Market Squid, these other species in the catalogue will feel familiar on the palate.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
Alaska Pollock
Gadus chalcogrammus
Pollock has mild-tasting flesh and is similar to other white fish like cod or haddock.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
Arrowtooth Flounder
Atheresthes stomias
Mild, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
Thunnus obesus
Bigeye tuna has a mild, meaty flavor, with a higher fat content than yellowfintuna. Sashimi lovers prefer it.
Atlantic Cod
Gadus morhua
Atlantic cod has a mild clean flavor. It is sweeter than Pacific cod.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should California Market Squid be cooked?
California Market Squid has Cooked squid is firm. — suited to gentle methods that preserve moisture (poaching, sous-vide, low-heat roasting) as much as high-heat techniques (grilling, searing), depending on thickness of the cut.
Where is California Market Squid found?
Range Market squid are found from the tip of Baja California to southeastern Alaska, but are most abundant between Punta Eugenia in Baja California and Monterey Bay, California. Habitat Market squid live in the water column from the surface to depths of 2,600 feet. They prefer the salty ocean and are rarely found in estuaries, bays, or river mouths.
How much selenium does California Market Squid provide?
A 100 g raw serving of California Market Squid carries 44.8 µg of selenium, about 81% of the 55 µg daily value for adults.
How does California Market Squid reproduce?
Market squid are fast-growing animals with a short natural life span. They reach up to 1 foot in total length, including their arms. They reproduce right before they die, around the age of 1 year. They spawn year-round. Spawning occurs April through October in central California and October through the end of April or May in southern California.
What else is California Market Squid called?
California Market Squid is also marketed as Squid, Pacific loligo squid, Opalescent inshore squid.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught California market squid is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
Short- and long-term changes in the market squid population are poorly understood, The stock has not been assessed so there are no reliable estimates of the population size and the overfished and overfishing status are unknown. Squid have a short life span (6 to 9 months) and fishermen target spawning squid because they die shortly after they reproduce.
Population
Population level is unknown, but management measures are in place.
Fishing Rate
Overfishing status is unknown, but management measures are in place.
Habitat Impacts
Pelagic gear used to catch market squid has minimal impact on bottom habitat.
Bycatch
Bycatch is low because pelagic roundhaul gear is selective.
Management
NOAA Fisheries , the Pacific Fishery Management Council and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife manage the market squid fishery in California. In California, the California Fish and Game Commission works with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to actively manage the fishery consistent with federal fishery management guidelines and the State of California’…
Data Source: NOAA Fisheries
Nutritional Profile
per 100 g raw edible portion · 21 values
Energy
Macronutrients
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Vitamins
Minerals
Source: USDA FoodData Central (SR Legacy). %DV is percent of 2,000-kcal daily value for adults.
calendar_month Harvest Season
Frozen available year-round.