Arrow squid

{| style="position:relative; margin: 0 0 0.5em 1em; border-collapse: collapse; float:right; clear:right; width:200px;" border="1" cellpadding="0" ! |  !  | Scientific Classification ! | Binomial Name Nototodarus sloanii ! | Synonyms New zealand Arrow squids or the Wellington Flying squid are most often found around New Zealand's beaches.
 * Kingdom: Animalia
 * Phylum: Mollusca
 * Class: Cephalopoda
 * Order: Teuthida
 * Family: Ommastrephidae
 * Subfamily: Todarodinae
 * Genus: Nototodarus
 * Species: N. sloanii
 * Genus: Nototodarus
 * Species: N. sloanii
 * - style="text-align:center;"
 * Ommastrephes sloani Gray, 1849
 * Nototodarus insignis Pfeffer, 1912
 * Ommastrephes sloani Gray, 1849
 * Nototodarus insignis Pfeffer, 1912

Anatomy
The arrow squid can grow up to about seven feet and can weigh as much as 100 pounds. They have eight arms and a torpedo shaped mantle. The suction cups are on the back of the tentacles. They are used for catching prey. The head makes up about two thirds of the body. On the head there are two fins, these are not the main method of mobility. The Arrow squid will use a siphon to bring water in one side and push it out of the other. The arrow squid's mouth can be found in between the arms. Arrow squids like most squids have three chambered hearts.

Reproduction
The reproduction process of a Arrow squid is sexual. They have a mating ritual that can be behavioral, physical, and morphological. The mating season is from the months September to March. Also the Arrow squids usually are up turned when mating with the female. Spermatophores are usually found in the buccal cavities of the females, but sometimes the females are found with spermatophores affixed to the head, arms, or dorsal mantle.

Ecology
The arrow squid has a short lifespan, rapid growth and development, and ability to have their appearance to molded. Most arrow squids live for only a year or less and the population is made up of new individuals each year. Squid growth is much faster than in similar sized teleost fish. At the cellular level of the arrow squid, growth occurs over their entire lifespan by excessive growth and abnormal increase in the number of cells.

Arrow squids have exceptionally high growth efficiency, with a protein-based metabolism that rapidly converts energy into growth. They storage very little if any of their food energy. The metabolic and growth rates of squid are very high in fact they may be as high as some mammals.

Although there is not much genetic variations in arrow squids, they show a large degree of observable appearance. Large intra-specific variability has been documented for egg size and rates of embryonic development, hatchling size, growth, age and size at maturity. Their flexible appearance together with a short lifespan and rapid growth mean that squid at the individual, and as a group are extremely responsive to changing environmental conditions. They are also able to move over considerable distances. These features contribute to the unpredictable and complex patterns of distribution evident for arrow squids as well as many squid species.

How to Cook the Arrow squid
you will need 1/2 pound squid tentacles and tubes 1 tablespoon soy sauce 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1/2 cup miso broth (1/2 cup water mixed with 1 tablespoon miso paste) 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar 2 teaspoons sesame oil 1/2 teaspoon thinly sliced garlic 1/4 teaspoon minced ginger 2 dried arbol chiles 1/3 cup medium dice sweet onion 1/4 cup torn-into-strips oyster mushrooms 1/3 cup medium dice red bell pepper Freshly ground white pepper THEN On a clean cutting board, remove the tentacles from the bodies of the squid and reserve. Make sure the tubes are cleaned out and split them open lengthwise so they look like a flat triangle. Using a matte knife, lightly score the squid in a crosshatch pattern. Cut each tube into four pieces of roughly equal size.

In a bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of soy sauce with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and toss the squid in it to coat. Marinate while preparing for the rest of the dish. Combine the miso broth and balsamic vinegar with the remaining cornstarch.

In a hot pan or wok, add the sesame oil and swirl to coat the pan. Add the squid and cook for 30 to 40 seconds. It will curl up naturally and brown. Working quickly, add the garlic, ginger, and chiles. Allow them to fry for 10 to 15 seconds stirring constantly (they can burn fast). Add the onion, mushrooms, and bell pepper and saute for another minute. Pour in the stock mixture and simmer until the sauce begins to thicken. Season with white pepper and additional soy sauce, if necessary. Serve over rice.

Arrow Squids – Nutritional Information (per 55g edible portion – approximate) Amount % Daily Value* Per serving Total Calories 45 - Calories from Fat 10 - Total fat 1g 1 Saturated Fat 0g 0 Cholestrol 90mg 30 Sodium 135mg 6 Total Carbohydrate 0g 0 Dietary Fibre 0g 0 Sugars 0g 0 Protein 9 - Vitamin A - 0 Vitamin C - 0 Calcium - 0 Iron - 2

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