Behaviour
Members of this family have scarcely been observed in life, but at least two species (Idioteuthis hjorti and Mastigoteuthis magna) are known to hover above the ocean bottom in a vertical orientation, the head pointing downward. The squid use their large fins to maintain this orientation and use both their extended tentacles as a pair of snares, held rigidly at a constant distance apart: this has been termed the "tuning fork" position. Prey items apparently consist primarily of benthic crustaceans.
Although mastigoteuthids possess ink sacs (which would suggest forays into shallower, lit waters), all observations have been over the bottom in deep water. The squid seem to lack the ability of rapid jet propulsion and instead rely on their capable fins.
Read more about this topic: Whip-lash Squid
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—Donald Davidson (b. 1917)