How to distinguish between cuttlefish, squid and octopus

Seafood is a delicacy that we often eat in our lives. Seafood tastes delicious, has high nutritional value, and has a good calcium supplement effect. However, there are many types of seafood, and it is difficult for ordinary people to distinguish them. Squid, squid and octopus are three foods that we often confuse. In fact, as long as you observe carefully, there are big differences between the three. Let us learn how to distinguish between squid, squid and octopus.

How to distinguish between squid, cuttlefish and octopus:

Squid belongs to the order Siphonaptera of the class Cephalopoda of the phylum Mollusca and has a suction cup. It has a big head, 10 tentacles in the front, a triangular fleshy fin at the tail end, and the softest body of the three fish. There are two types of squid currently seen on the market: the "calamari" with a fatter body and the "squid" with a slender body. Squid can usually be stir-fried with celery, but the taste is not as delicious as cuttlefish.

Octopus belongs to the order Octopoda of the class Cephalopoda of the phylum Mollusca. It has eight tentacles and is commonly known as octopus. It has suction cups and can spray ink. Its body is not too big, but its tentacles are very long. The tentacles of a large octopus alone can weigh up to half a pound. Some octopuses have brains so advanced that they can recognize themselves in a mirror. In terms of cooking methods, octopus balls are a delicacy well known to the public.

Cuttlefish belongs to the order Sepiformes of the class Cephalopoda of the phylum Mollusca. Its real name is Cuttlefish. It has a suction cup and can spray ink. It is commonly known as cuttlefish or cuttlefish. The squid has a thick calcareous inner shell, 8 short arms and two long tentacles, a total of 10 arms for hunting and eating, which can be retracted into two sacs. There are suction cups on the tips of its arms and tentacles. Shanghainese people eat a lot of squid, usually grilled or braised.

Many people cannot distinguish them clearly and confuse them. In fact, it is easy to distinguish them if you master the rules:

1. Different body structures: Octopus has eight arms, while squid and cuttlefish both have ten arms. Octopuses have soft bodies, squids have cartilage, and cuttlefish have hard bones.

2. Different appearances and shapes When we see an octopus, we may think of octopus balls - its body is sac-shaped, like a ball; the squid's body is long and narrow, like a tube, and the cross-section is ring-shaped; the cuttlefish's body is relatively flat and very wide.

3. Different living habits: Octopuses usually crawl along the seabed using the suction cups in their arms, and their movements are very slow; while squids and cuttlefish swim quickly in the sea. Octopuses are nocturnal animals and are very sensitive to light. They like to stay in dark environments. Fishermen often throw special clay pots into the sea, then calculate the time and lure the octopus into the trap - waiting for the octopus to get into the pot and fall into the trap. Squid and cuttlefish, however, like light, so fishermen take advantage of their habits and hang fish-attracting lights on the fishing boats, waiting for them to swarm in, and then catch them all in one net.

4. Different ways of eating Octopus can be eaten raw or cooked, and it is better to eat it raw. Squid and cuttlefish must be cooked before eating - this is because they contain a polypeptide component - if they are not cooked thoroughly before eating, it will often cause gastrointestinal motility disorders and abdominal discomfort. In addition, aquatic products such as squid are cold in nature, so people with weak spleen and stomach should eat less of them.

There are many things in life that we accumulate little by little through experience. After learning how to distinguish between cuttlefish, squid and octopus, we have a great understanding of the differences between the three. We will not confuse them when eating or buying them in the market. Although seafood is delicious and nutritious, it is not suitable for everyone. For example, patients with thyroid diseases or those who are allergic to seafood must eat less seafood.