Crabsquid

Overview

The Crabsquid is a large, aggressive fauna species. It can be found in the Northern Blood Kelp Zone, the Deep Grand Reef, and the Lost River.

Appearance

The Crabsquid's main body has two layers: a translucent, bulbous sac resembling a comb jellyfish's body, and a hard brown-green body within, similar to that of a real-life squid's mantle. The Crabsquid's head consists of four large blue eyes with black pupils and an oddly shaped mandible below them. The Crabsquid's legs resemble those of a horseshoe crab, though tipped with small fins. Its ten limbs are brown-colored and smooth. The two shortest limbs near its mouth form a pair of comparably small pincers of which it uses to attack by raising its legs.

Behavior

Crabsquids are aggressive towards the player and shark-classified fauna. The predator will attack by swiping with its claws, dealing moderate damage. Crabsquids emit a loud clicking sound and on occasion walk along the seabed. Despite living in the depths, Crabsquids swim slightly slower at night while docile. This does not impact their aggression range or chase speed. The creature will flee for a few seconds upon being struck twice with the knife or once with the Thermoblade.

The Crabsquid is attracted to any light source. Upon getting close to a light source, they will release an EMP Blast. This blast will temporarily disable certain tools, vehicles, and seabases. Power will be restored after a few seconds.

Crabsquids will target the Seamoth or Prawn Suit when the player is piloting them. The predator is aggressive towards the Cyclops and will attack the vehicle if it makes too much noise. Crabsquids can be distracted with the Creature Decoy.

Like most carnivores, holding any fauna will cause the Crabsquid to eat the fish upon attacking the player, preventing damage from being taken. This will decrease the creature’s aggression for a short time.

Crabsquids hatched in the Alien Containment are passive towards the player.

Data Bank Entry

This large predator can be found in deep waters, where it lurks amongst the blood kelp and membrain trees in search of prey. It can deploy a powerful electromagnetic pulse to defend itself.

1. Limbs: 10 limbs feature different appendages for swimming, walking, hunting, and possibly even tool use. Creatures caught in its grasp are expertly butchered and quickly consumed.
2. Behavior: Rays and other illuminated herbivores are its usual prey, and it will approach and attack any light source in the vicinity. Its EMP blast was likely developed as a response to predation by creatures with electrical hunting mechanisms.
3. Intelligence: While crabsquids appear to have large brains and a resemblance to the intelligent squids of earth, the organ inside the creature's head is in fact its stomach, which it must fill with startling regularity.

Assessment: Neutralizes electrical equipment - Lights attract its (unwanted) attention

Gallery

A Crabsquid in the Northern Blood Kelp Zone

A Crabsquid standing on the seafloor

A Crabsquid attacking a Seamoth

A Crabsquid inside the Lost River, nearby the Blood Kelp Trench

A Crabsquid in the Deep Grand Reef

A Crabsquid, shown in the Subnautica Cinematic Trailer

Trivia

• The sounds of the Crabsquid were created using the sounds of a creaking door, dolphins, and a stock alien sound.
• The Crabsquid's Data Bank entry implies that it developed its EMP blast to counter the other active predator in its area, Ampeels.
• The large organ inside the Crabsquid's body, according to the PDA, is the stomach and not its brain.
• The Crabsquid can walk on land if spawned there.
• As the name suggests, the design draws heavy inspiration from crabs and squids. It is a mix between a crustacean and a cephalopod.
• The Crabsquid is the largest non-Leviathan Class organism discoverable in the game.

Story Spoilers

It is implied that a Crabsquid is what killed Paul Torgal from the Degasi crew.

Related Items

Crabsquid Egg