Common flying squid vs European flying squid

Todarodes pacificus compared with Todarodes sagittatus

Key Differences

• Common flying squid is Least Concern while European flying squid is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Common flying squid	European flying squid
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Mollusca (Mollusks)	Mollusca (Mollusks)
Class same	Cephalopoda (Cephalopods)	Cephalopoda (Cephalopods)
Order same	Oegopsida (Oegopsida)	Oegopsida (Oegopsida)
Family same	Ommastrephidae	Ommastrephidae
Genus same	Todarodes	Todarodes
Species	Todarodes pacificus	Todarodes sagittatus

Evolutionary Relationship

Common flying squid and European flying squid share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Todarodes.

Conservation Status

Common flying squid

LC — Least Concern

European flying squid

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Common flying squid	European flying squid
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Common flying squid

Habitat

Native to Asia, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Found in Taiwan.

European flying squid

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Common flying squid

<em>Todarodes pacificus</em> is a cephalopod mollusk in the family Ommastrephidae, order Oegopsida, commonly known as the Japanese flying squid or common flying squid. The species is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. <em>Todarodes pacificus</em> is native to Asian waters, with documented occurrences including Taiwan, and is widely distributed across the northwestern Pacific Ocean. This species is one of the most commercially important squid species in the world, supporting major fisheries in Japan, China, and South Korea. It typically inhabits open ocean environments from the surface to mesopelagic depths, undertaking extensive diel vertical migrations. The common name refers to the ability of this species to leap from the water and briefly glide through the air, propelled by jets of water and using its fins and outstretched tentacles for lift — a behavior observed in several ommastrephid squids. Populations exhibit distinct migratory patterns linked to oceanographic conditions and spawning cycles. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature.