Fin damage in captured and reared squids.

Fin damage was a major factor in the mortality of wild-caught squids kept in the laboratory. Infection of abraded fins by opportunistic bacterial pathogens impaired swimming and led to death. Serious skin abrasions were especially common in trawl-caught squids. Dipnets and jigs inflicted minimal trauma and were preferred for squid capture. Fin damage also occurred during transportation and during maintenance of squids in onshore tanks. A successful aquarium system with recycled sea water was used for squid maintenance. Hatchling, juvenile and adult loliginid squids remained healthy in closed-system aquaria for periods ranging from 1 to 16 weeks.