Cultured Sepioteuthis lessoniana typically grow to 25 cm mantle length and 500 g body weight, but specimens of 35 cm mantle length and 2 kg body weight have also been produced. The axons of Sepioteuthis lessoniana measure up to 500 mm in diameter. Sepioteuthis lessoniana of 50 g or less can be shipped by over-night delivery. We have assisted several laboratories in the design of simple, short-term squid holding systems. Activated carbon filtration is also essential to maintain adequate water quality, and protein skimming is recommended.
Squids are obligate predators in nature.
In the laboratory they will eat live palaeomonid and penaeid shrimps and most marine, estuarine and fresh water fishes smaller than themselves. Specimens greater that 150 g can be conditioned to eat thawed frozen fishes that are jigged on a rod or line. The NRCC cultures the European cuttlefish Sepia officinalis on a large scale and makes all developmental stages available for a broad range of biomedical research. The animals are laboratory adapted and tolerant of handling and shipping. Cuttlefish cultured at the NRCC have been used in a variety of physiological, pharmaceutical and behavioral studies.