Head to head
Glass Squid vs Piglet Squid
The piglet squid is itself a glass squid, so this comparison sets the wider family against one of its most recognisable specific members.
| Glass Squid | Piglet Squid | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Cranchiidae | Helicocranchia pfefferi |
| Classification level | A family of many species | A single specific species within that family |
| Body shape | Often round or barrel-shaped | Small, round, and balloon-like |
| Buoyancy | An ammonium-filled cavity across the family | An ammonium-filled internal chamber |
| Size range across the group | From a few centimetres to the colossal squid | Small and fairly consistent |
| Eyes | Large and prominent across the family | Two matched eyes with small nearby light organs |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Habitat | Ocean | Ocean |
Glass Squid vs Piglet Squid: common questions
Is the piglet squid part of the glass squid family?
Yes, the piglet squid is a specific species within the broader glass squid family, sharing the same transparent, gelatinous body plan and ammonium-based buoyancy system found across the entire family.
Which one includes species as large as the colossal squid?
The glass squid family as a whole includes species ranging from just a few centimetres long to the colossal squid, one of the largest invertebrates known, while the piglet squid itself remains small and consistent in size.
Do both use the same buoyancy trick?
Yes, both rely on a body cavity filled with ammonium-rich fluid that is lighter than seawater, a trait shared broadly across the glass squid family and used by the piglet squid to hover with very little effort.