ANTARCTIC SQUID NEVER FILMED BEFORE
I’ve spoken before about the rare Colossal squid that inhabits Antarctic waters but there’s another squid that lives down there in the midnight zone, (3,300 to 13,100 feet) (1,000 to 4,000 m) in the deep ocean.
At that depth no sunlight can penetrate so the only light comes from particular species that have their own lighting (bioluminescence). In December, last year (2024) researchers filmed the Antarctic Gonate squid (Gonatus antarcticus) at a depth of 7,060 feet (2,152 meters) using an ROV (remotely operated vehicle) from its mother ship, the R/V Falkor
The Falkor also filmed the first Colossal squid baby in April of 2025.
Unlike the sizes attained by the Giant and Colossal squids (7 m for the Colossal squid), the Gonate squid was less than a metre long (0.9 m or 3ft) and it was the first live footage of this animal ever.
When approached by the ROV the Gonate squid released a cloud of greenish ink and was then followed by the researchers for a few minutes.
Not much is known about the Gonate squid but they can roam as deep as 4,500 m or more. By day they are thought to remain in the darkness of deep water and ascend to feed in the upper levels by starlight.
They are preyed upon by a variety of whales, as well as seabirds, some seals and large fish.
Antarctica: Always fascinating.