It occurs abundantly in coastal waters of the Atlantic Ocean, from Argentina northward to North Carolina.

As both common names imply, these squid have elongate, cylindrical bodies with a length to width ratio of 7:1.

Sexual dimorphism is apparent, with the left ventral arm in males modified into a hectocotylus; this is used to facilitate fertilization during mating.

During the annual summer mating season, the squid congregate in large numbers near shore.

The squid prey upon several species of estuarine fish, including: killifish, mosquitofish and mollies.