Colossal squid
The largest recorded specimen was captured in 2007 by a New Zealand fishing boat off Antarctica. It was initially estimated to measure in length and weigh . The squid was taken back to New Zealand for scientific study. A study on the specimen later showed its actual weight was , but it only measured in total length as a result of the tentacles' shrinking "post mortem".
Cephalopod size
By comparison, giant squid suckers "normally" reach a maximum diameter of only a few centimetres. Based on a detailed examination of a number of large specimens from New Zealand waters, Förch (1998:55) wrote that "[t]he largest suckers [...] on the sessile arms are a very constant in external diameter". In giant squid the largest suckers of all are found on the central portion of the tentacular club, called the "manus", and among the specimens examined by Förch (1998:53) these reached a maximum diameter of . Clarke (1980) wrote: "I have not yet seen conclusive evidence to suggest that sucker scars are larger than across" (Ellis, 1998a:142). According to Roper & Boss (1982:97), the largest suckers of the tentacular clubs reach in diameter.