Sparkle Squid

I wonder what sort of creatures lurk all the way down there in the vast ocean. Has anyone even been back to the surface since The Great Shattering? I bet they all look super weird or creepy. Are they able to see down there?

— A curious child.

This is one of the many species that inhabit the ocean that was left behind after the Shatter. There are records of them existing before the event, but not much is known about what they may be like in the current era. Most information on these squids are from those records.

Physical Description

These are smaller than the average species of squid. They have a sleek, oblong body with six tentacles and a thin flap of skin on either side of its head. Hidden amongst the tentacles is the squid's sharp beak.
Their skin has a base color that can be grey, light blue, or pink, all of which have a metallic sheen to them. On top of the base is an expanse of small speckles spaced evenly over the skin. These dots are a mix of darker shades of the base color.
There is a large round eye on each side of its head; they sit below the skin flaps. Their eyes are either orange or yellow in color.

Habitat

Before the Shatter, sparkle squids were found in the shallow to middle levels of warm, tropical oceans. They thrived in pollutant free water. These squids would take up residence anywhere from small caves or shipwrecks to as close as reefs and tide pools.

Diet

Sparkle squids are carnivores who feed on a variety of ocean creatures. They are usually ambush predators and typically hunt alone. Their prey includes small to medium fish, mollusks, crustaceans, sea urchins and stars, and even other species of squid. Their beaks are sharp enough to break through even the toughest shells.

Jewels of the Ocean

Their skin isn't just sparkly in color, these squid can produce pulses of light via specialized cells in their skin. They align with the dark spots and can flash in the standard colors of the rainbow. Several different pulse patterns were observed. Their exact use is still unknown. Scientists believe they use it for various communication and or attracting prey.

Type

Cephalopod

Location

United Waters

Status

Unprotected

Average Lifespan

Unknown

Average Length

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Average Weight

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