Head to head
Antarctic Toothfish vs Colossal Squid
Antarctic Toothfish
VS Colossal Squid
These two animals share the same deep Southern Ocean habitat, and one is a documented prey item of the other.
| Antarctic Toothfish | Colossal Squid | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Dissostichus mawsoni | Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni |
| Classification | A fish | A squid (invertebrate) |
| Role in food web | An important prey species | A major predator, and also prey for sperm whales |
| Notable adaptation | Antifreeze proteins in its blood | Largest eyes of any known animal |
| Size | Considerable, but modest by comparison | The heaviest invertebrate known, up to 500 kg |
| Predators | Colossal squid, sperm whales, seals | Sperm whales |
| Conservation status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Habitat | Ocean, polar | Ocean, polar |
Antarctic Toothfish vs Colossal Squid: common questions
Which one preys on the other?
The colossal squid preys on the Antarctic toothfish, seizing it as a significant food source while hunting as a slow, ambush predator in the deep, dark Southern Ocean.
Which one has the more extreme eyes?
The colossal squid has the more extreme eyes, at roughly 27 centimetres across the largest known in the animal kingdom, far surpassing anything documented in the Antarctic toothfish.
Which one is a fish and which is an invertebrate?
The Antarctic toothfish is a fish, while the colossal squid is an invertebrate, specifically the heaviest invertebrate species known to science.