The upper surface of this bobtail squid is normally a reddish-brown colour with a scattering of small brown or yellowish spots, but can change to greyish-green when the animal is startled.

Its range extends from Korea, Japan and the Bering Sea to the western coast of North America, as far south as California.

[4] In Puget Sound it is seen in winter in regions of sloping muddy sand away from strong currents at less than 300 m (984 ft) but moves into deeper water in the summer.

[6] It has been found to be able to live and survive in highly polluted urban west coast bay areas of the United States.

[citation needed] The stubby squid usually rests on the seabed and moves around, either by movement of its fins or by expelling a jet of water from its body cavity through a movable funnel just below the head.

The stubby squid has a hardened beak it uses to eat, its mouth is centered on the body and all tentacles connect at this point as well.

[4] The average female will deposit between twenty-five and fifty eggs in clusters, attaching them to the underside of stones, clams or faissal manda.