Both squid were of the genus/species Onykia robusta, previously known as Moroteuthis robusta, and commonly known as the robust clubhook squid.
Observation: This April two large squid washed ashore in Unalaska. Both squid were of the genus/species Onykia robusta, previously known as Moroteuthis robusta, and commonly known as the robust clubhook squid. These particular squid were pinkish-red in color with a 5 to 6 foot mantle, slightly smaller than their maximum size. While this is a rare beach find, O. robusta has a distribution range from southern California throughout the Aleutian Islands and into the Bering Sea. These squid are generally found deeper than 500 meters and are fed upon by sperm whales and other toothed whales.
For more information about Robust Clubhook O.rubusta squid and other species of cephalopods see: The Cephalopod Page M. Tcheripanoff
Resources:
See article on Onykia robusta in Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onykia_robusta
Zoë Sobel. Two dead squid in two weeks: Coincidence? Alaska Public Media.
April 26, 2017
Observations From Members 