Video: Baby squid at Vancouver Aquarium

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This video shows baby Opalescent squid (Doryteuthis opalescens) born at Vancouver Aquarium, each one no bigger than a grain of rice.

There are around 400 of the tiny babies — which are called paralarva — and they need constant feeding.

The pigment cells on their translucent bodies are chromatophores — these are controlled by the adult squid to change its colours to confuse predators, and to attract a mate.

They move using jet propulsion, by sucking water into the main part of the body (the mantle cavity) and squirting it out a narrow syphon.

This species is found in coastal waters from Alaska to Mexico and can grow up to about 30cm/12".

 

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