Story: Octopus and squid

Arrow, giant and colossal squid

This diagram shows the comparative size of three squid species. Arrow squid are common around New Zealand waters, and form the basis of a profitable squid fishery. Giant squid come to breed in deep-sea canyons just off the coast. Colossal squid have not been found around New Zealand, but they are known from subantarctic waters south of New Zealand.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

by Bruce Mahalski

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How to cite this page

Maggy Wassilieff and Steve O’Shea, Octopus and squid – Squid in New Zealand, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/diagram/7902/arrow-giant-and-colossal-squid (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Maggy Wassilieff and Steve O’Shea, published 2 March 2009.

Comments

hey
06 February 2024

um, don't giant and colossal squids only have one eye?

Jose Garcia
15 June 2018

Sorry, but i'm pretty certain this is wrong. Although colossal squid are heavier, giant squid are the longer ones