- 15 Mar 2002
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Firefly Squid are a small squid species that are commonly seen in sushi. They can be served raw or boiled. They are typically caught in the spring and early summer. Their name derives from their bioluminescence.
The firefly squid (Watasenia scintillans), also known as the hotaru-ika or the sparkling enope squid, belongs to the Enoploteuthidae family of squids and is the only species in its genus, Watasenia. These small squids live in the deep waters between 200 and 400 metres for most of their lives but come to the shores of Japan in spring to spawn. They can produce blue light from organs called photophores, which may have various functions such as communication, camouflage, or prey attraction. However, the exact purpose of their bioluminescence is still a mystery to science. The firefly squid is a hunter that feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and other squids. It has a short lifespan of about one year and dies soon after reproducing. The females lay their eggs near the shore, where they are harvested by Japanese fishermen who profit from the seasonal abundance of the firefly squid. The firefly squid also attracts many tourists who see the spectacular blue glow of their bioluminescence in the bay, making their spawning season a cultural and natural phenomenon.
Kanji: 螢烏賊／蛍烏賊
Kana: ホタルイカ
Romaji: hotaru ika
The firefly squid (Watasenia scintillans), also known as the hotaru-ika or the sparkling enope squid, belongs to the Enoploteuthidae family of squids and is the only species in its genus, Watasenia. These small squids live in the deep waters between 200 and 400 metres for most of their lives but come to the shores of Japan in spring to spawn. They can produce blue light from organs called photophores, which may have various functions such as communication, camouflage, or prey attraction. However, the exact purpose of their bioluminescence is still a mystery to science. The firefly squid is a hunter that feeds on small fish, crustaceans, and other squids. It has a short lifespan of about one year and dies soon after reproducing. The females lay their eggs near the shore, where they are harvested by Japanese fishermen who profit from the seasonal abundance of the firefly squid. The firefly squid also attracts many tourists who see the spectacular blue glow of their bioluminescence in the bay, making their spawning season a cultural and natural phenomenon.
Kanji: 螢烏賊／蛍烏賊
Kana: ホタルイカ
Romaji: hotaru ika
