also: だいおうほおずきいか
colossal squid
Refers specifically to Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni, a large deep-sea squid. Usually written in katakana.
The colossal squid is a giant squid that lives in the Antarctic Ocean.
I saw a specimen of a colossal squid at the museum.
Giant squid (Architeuthis dux); a different species, though both are large deep-sea squids. ダイオウホウズキイカ is heavier and has larger fins.
Hiragana spelling; less common but still used in some contexts.
From 大王 (daiō, 'great king') + 酸漿 (hōzuki, 'ground cherry') + 烏賊 (ika, 'squid'), likely referring to its large size and perhaps the shape of its body or tentacles.