Shortfin Squid
Illex illecebrosus
Also known as Illex squid, Summer squid
Culinary Profile
Mild, and subtly sweet.
Firm and meaty.
Squid are an excellent source of selenium, riboflavin, and vitamin B12.
Gastronomic Specifications
Biology & Habitat
Appearance
Female shortfin squid range from 7 to 12 inches in mantle length, while males are 7 to 10.6 inches in mantle length. They can regulate their body color, but are primarily orange-colored with a brown stripe that extends along the top side of the mantle.
Biology
Shortfin squid live for less than one year. They have a high natural mortality rate, and a long spawning season. Females can release multiple egg masses during a single spawning season, but die after they spawn. Spawning can occur year round with seasonal peaks from October to June. Shortfin squid have extremely variable birth, growth, and maturity rates.
Where They Live
Range Shortfin squid inhabits the continental shelf and slope waters of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, from Newfoundland to the central east coast of Florida. In the northwest Atlantic Ocean, shortfin squid are most often caught along the continental shelf break in depths between 150 to 275 meters.
How to Buy & Source
Availability
Summer and fall.
Source
U.S. wild-caught from Maine to North Carolina.
Commercial Fishery & Harvest
Commercial fishery In 2024, commercial landings of shortfin squid totaled 7 million pounds, and were valued at $5.8 million according to the NOAA Fisheries commercial fishing landings database . Fisheries for shortfin squid reflect the species’ seasonal migrations. The majority of landings come from Rhode Island and New Jersey. Harvested for bait domestically, and exported for bait and food. Gear types, habitat impacts, and bycatch: The majority of shortfin squid is harvested June 1 through October 31 using small-mesh bottom trawls. The fishery is open year round, but the squid aren’t available in commercial quantities year round. Sandy or muddy habitat, where squid are fished, is less sensitive to the impacts of trawling.
Nutritional Benchmarking Across 111 Species
Where Shortfin 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 New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries
Sustainable species managed out of the same regional fishery council as Shortfin Squid.
Acadian Redfish
Sebastes fasciatus
Mild and slightly sweet. Redfish can be used as a substitute for haddock and similar fish.
American Lobster
Homarus americanus
Mild and sweet.
American Plaice
Hippoglossoides platessoides
Subtle, sweet flavor.
Atlantic Chub Mackerel
Scomber colias
Rich, pronounced flavor.
Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab
Chaceon quinquedens
Sweet and clean.
Atlantic Halibut
Hippoglossus hippoglossus
Halibut has a very mild, sweet taste.
Atlantic Pollock
Pollachius virens
Sweet and delicate.
Atlantic Salmon
Salmo salar
Buttery, rich taste.
Atlantic Sea Scallop
Placopecten magellanicus
Sea scallops have a sweet, rich taste that can be mild or briny.
Haddock
Melanogrammus aeglefinus
Slightly sweet.
Similar by Flavour: Other Mild-Tasting Species
If you enjoy the mild flavour profile of Shortfin 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
What does Shortfin Squid eat?
Shortfin squid live for less than one year. They have a high natural mortality rate, and a long spawning season. Females can release multiple egg masses during a single spawning season, but die after they spawn. Spawning can occur year round with seasonal peaks from October to June. Shortfin squid have extremely variable birth, growth, and maturity rates.
Is Shortfin Squid a lean fish or a rich one?
At 92 kcal per 100 g raw, Shortfin Squid counts as lean on the fattiness spectrum — useful context when deciding cooking method (lean species suit poaching; rich species hold up to high-heat sear).
Where in the water column does Shortfin Squid live?
Range Shortfin squid inhabits the continental shelf and slope waters of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean, from Newfoundland to the central east coast of Florida. In the northwest Atlantic Ocean, shortfin squid are most often caught along the continental shelf break in depths between 150 to 275 meters.
How should Shortfin Squid be cooked?
Shortfin Squid has Firm and meaty. — 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.
Sustainability Story
U.S. wild-caught shortfin squid is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.
Stock Structure
Shortfin squid has not been assessed so the overfishing and overfished status are unknown. Summary stock assessment information from 2005 can be found on Stock SMART .
Population
The population level is unknown, but management measures are in place.
Fishing Rate
Overfishing status is unknown, but management measures are in place.
Habitat Impacts
Fishing gears used to harvest shortfin squid have minimal impacts on habitat.
Bycatch
Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.
Management
NOAA Fisheries and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council manage the shortfin squid fishery. Managed under the Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plan : Fishermen with a limited access permit can fish for unlimited amounts of shortfin squid while the fishery is open.
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.