Squid
Scientific name Teuthida
These fast-moving, highly intelligent cephalopods are close relatives of cuttlefish and octopus.
Squid have elongated, torpedo-shaped bodies, large complex eyes, eight arms and two longer feeding tentacles used to snatch prey. Unlike cuttlefish, they lack a broad internal cuttlebone and are generally more streamlined for speed.
Around Koh Tao, divers most commonly encounter reef squid, often hovering in small groups above sandy areas or reef slopes between 5–20 metres. At night, they may be attracted to dive lights, hunting smaller fish and crustaceans drawn into the beam.
Squid are masters of rapid colour change. They use specialised skin cells to flash stripes, pulses and shimmering patterns — communicating with one another and confusing prey.
When threatened, they release a cloud of ink and jet away using powerful water propulsion from their mantle cavity.
Find Squid at...
Divemaster's tip
On night dives, scan the water column around your torch beam — squid often hover just beyond the brightest light.
If one turns very pale or suddenly dark, it may be stressed. Pause and give it space to observe natural behaviour.
What do they eat?
Squid are active predators feeding on small fish, shrimp and other crustaceans.
They use lightning-fast tentacle strikes to capture prey and sharp beaks to break it apart — making them some of the most efficient hunters in Koh Tao’s night-time reef environment.
