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What Eats Algae and Gets Eaten by Squid?

Algae are non-flowering plants that do not have stems, roots, leaves or vascular tissue. Large, complex forms of algae found in the ocean are referred to as seaweed. Algae produces its own food, as well as serving as a food source for many aquatic species from plankton to crustaceans to large fish. Squid are carnivores that feast on algae eaters. More than 300 squid species are known to exist.

Pygmy Squid
- Seven squid species are known as the world's smallest squid. They all measure less than 1 inch in length, and are found in the Southwestern Pacific waters off the coast of Australia. Algae-eating shrimp are the main food source for pygmy squid. The tiny squid use glue glands to hide under sea grass, where they wait to ambush shrimp. The pygmy squid then bites through the nerve cord of the shrimp to immobilize it for easy dining.
Vampire Squid
- Vampire squid grow to about 1 foot in length, and are black in color with eyes that appear red. Their long arms resemble a black cape, and they appear to fly through the water. Most squid emit ink upon feeling threatened, but this squid emits sticky mucus for up to 10 minutes at a time. The emission allows this slow-swimming squid to hide from predators. Vampire squid feed on small invertebrates and fish that eat algae.
Humboldt Squid
- Humboldt squid, located off the west coast of Mexico and the U.S., are known as the red devil. This squid is a mean little beast that eats anything in sight, including algae-eating creatures and even other Humboldt squid. This voracious predator typically weighs 20 to 40 pounds and grows up to 6 feet in length.
Giant Squid
- Eight known species of giant squid represent the largest invertebrates on earth. Like other squid species, the giant squid has eight arms and two feeding tentacles that bring food to its mouth. Its diet consists of fish, shrimp and other crustaceans that eat algae. Giant squid have been known to feast on whales and sharks. Giant and colossal squid have the largest eyes of any animal, measuring more than 10 inches in diameter. Their eyes allow them to see prey in dark ocean depths.
Colossal Squid
- Colossal squid are a cousin to giant squid, but are found in Antarctic waters at a depth around 6,500 feet. Unlike its cousin, colossal squid are sluggish and non-aggressive with a slow metabolism. One 11-pound toothfish sustains a colossal squid for about 200 days. Toothfish feed on planktonic algae and small fish.

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