Squidshark

Overview

The Squidshark is a highly aggressive fauna species that can be found in the Deep Lilypads Cave, Deep Twisty Bridges, and the Lilypad Islands.

Only two Squidshark eggs can be found on the map; they are located in the Deep Lilypads Cave at coordinates 367.0, -599.0, -946.9.

Infobox Data

Egg Data

Appearance

The Squidshark has a bulky anterior region with a slender, streamlined posterior, tapering to a point at each end and lacking a tail fin. It utilizes countershading to help it remain camouflaged, with a dark blue dorsal side and a greyish-white belly that lets it blend in with the ice/sky above when viewed from below, and the dark sea when viewed from above.

A large shark-like dorsal fin is situated around one third of the way down the back with four drastically smaller fins running in a line behind it. It has two very long pelvic fins around half the length of the entire body with two translucent blue tendrils beneath them. There is an extra fin sitting on top of the head and a long fin running down the underside of the tail like that of the Ghost Knifefish.

The Squidshark's mouth has an odd structure; six flaps of skin close together creating a face that tapers to a point, however these flaps can open to expose a jaw that protrudes outwards from the mouth and has seventeen long black tooth-like structures to capture prey items. Its eyes are small and black with a rectangular pupil that glows red. Behind each is a siphon.

Behavior

The Squidshark is a carnivorous creature and can be seen preying on smaller fauna. While pursuing a target, the flaps on its face open and reveal a large, protruding jaw. If the Squidshark manages to catch the player, it will grab them and deal 40 damage, but the player will escape by forcing their way out of its mouth. However, if this attack is performed and the player has 40 or less health, they will fail to escape its hold and slip into its mouth, which results in an instant kill.

If the player is inside of a vehicle and is within close proximity of a Squidshark, it will perform an electrical attack with its tentacles, whipping them towards whatever is in front of the creature. This attack will temporarily disable the vehicle's power, leaving it open to further attacks.

Databank Entry

A leviathan-class predator at the smaller end of the scale, with complex, squid-like adaptations which allow it to hunt a wide range of prey.

• Expels swallowed seawater through vents on either side of its body, providing slow and steady jet propulsion, or terrifying bursts of speed
• An internal jaw can be extended and clamped down around small prey, dragging them inside the mouth whole
• Two blue, electrified tentacles drag beneath its body, used to perform hit and run attacks on larger, slower targets, subduing them over time

Source: Scan Squidsharks

Design

The Squidshark is a large predatory species that fills a similar ecological niche to sharks on Earth. It takes design inspiration from cephalopods and sharks, specifically the goblin shark for the protruding jaw. Just behind the eyes are a pair of hollow tubes that appear similar in appearance to the specialized siphons of octopuses.

Sounds

• Bite
• Long bite
• Callout 1-5
• Chase 1-5
• Chase Loop
• Roar
• Death
• Flinch 1-3
• Idle 1-3
• Cinematic Death
• Cinematic Escape
• Angry swim loop
• Angry swim 1-7

Gallery

A Squidshark in the Deep Twisty Bridges

A Squidshark charging at its prey

A sideview of the squidshark

A squidshark in the Lilypad Islands

A Squidshark in the Deep Lilypads Cave

Front view

Side view

Dorsal view

Ventral view

Bioluminescence

Size reference

A Squidshark attacking the player

Kill cinematic

A Squidshark consuming the player

The 2 Squidshark Eggs found in the Deep Lilypads Cave

Final Squidshark - by Alex Ries

Size comparison concept art

Squidshark mouth design variants - by Alex Ries

Early Squidshark concept art - by Alex Ries

Another early Squidshark - by Alex Ries

Squidshark jet gill details - by Alex Ries

Earlier design - by Alex Ries

Another design - by Alex Ries

Model from Sketchfab

Highpoly model from Sketchfab

Early 3D low-poly model

Early model of the Squidshark with open mouth

Non-Subnautica "aquatic alien sketch" - by Alex Ries, 2008, appears to have inspired the Squidshark design

Trivia

• The Squidshark's electrical attack is very similar to the Crabsquid's EMP blast.
• Despite being called a leviathan by the PDA, its databank entry is found under the "Carnivores" tab, instead of under the "Leviathans" tab; the reason for that is unknown.
• In the Subnautica: Below Zero Trailer, a Squidshark attempts to devour Fred Lachance inside his Seatruck, making it necessary for him to repair it afterwards.