Is This Tiniest Squid You’ve Ever Seen?

Some squids get giant in size, but have you ever wondered how small some squid species are? Squids vary in size based on species, with some being smaller than expected. This Instagram video by @getting_salty_ shows a stubby squid that needs a strong camera to capture clearly. Read below to learn about what species of squid this is!

About the Stubby Squid

The squid in the video is called a stubby squid, scientifically known as Rossia pacifica. This species of squid truly lives up to its name! These squids resemble a cross between a squid and an octopus, but are most known for their small size. The size of the squid depends on a few factors, such as sex. The maximum mantle length of these squids is roughly 2 inches! Some squids can remain under an inch in length, while others can grow as large as a golf ball. Being so small, they can be hard to find! They can be spotted in the sand thanks to their varied colors, which range from reddish-brown to grey-green, and some individuals even display a noticeable purple hue. Although they are small, their bright colors make them fun to search for.

Stubby squid can be found in the northern Pacific Ocean, mostly between Japan and Southern California. They inhabit various ocean depths, ranging from 60 to 4,000 feet, but most are found around 3,000 feet. They are often found along sandy ocean floors, as shown in the video above. These tiny squids are preyed upon by predators such as lizardfish and marine mammals like seals. Their tiny size can help them hide and evade predators, but it also makes it hard for them to fight back when needed. Like other small creatures, stubby squids have a short lifespan. They can live anywhere from 18 months to two years. During their short lifespan, stubby squids primarily feed on small shrimp and other tiny fish species. They are nocturnal, hunting their prey at night!