The European Squid is the most famous and commercially significant cephalopod in the region, and it is known globally for the exceptional quality of its meat. It belongs to the Loliginidae family. The body is elongated and cylindrical, with two large lateral fins that begin at the middle of the mantle and extend to the tail, forming a rhombus. This is the fundamental difference from the Broadtail Shortfin Squid because the fins of that species are small and triangular and located only at the tip of the tail. It possesses eight small tentacles and two significantly longer hunting tentacles for capturing prey.

The skin is covered with chromatophore cells that allow it to change colour instantly from almost transparent to deep red or brown depending on its mood and surroundings. Inside its body is a transparent, flexible internal structure known as a pen or gladius.

It lives mainly near the coast as a neritic species on sandy and muddy seabeds as well as within Posidonia seagrass meadows. During the day, it remains near the bottom at depths from 10 to 100 metres, although it can reach 500 metres. At night, it rises toward the surface to hunt.

The common mantle length is 15 to 25 centimetres, but it can reach 40 to 50 centimetres. The total length, including the tentacles, can exceed one metre in large individuals. Males typically grow larger than females.

The animal is a fast and silent hunter. It feeds mainly on fish, shrimp, and crabs, as well as other smaller cephalopods. Young individuals feed primarily on copepods and other small planktonic crustaceans.

It is one of the most expensive and sought-after catches in the market. It is caught professionally with trawls and nets, but it is also a favourite target for recreational fishers. The most popular method is fishing with squid jigs, which are artificial lures with needles, from a boat or the shore, especially during dusk and at night. The meat is soft and sweet and much superior in quality to that of the broadtail shortfin squid.