What are these squid up to?

[u4ia]

I drifted into a pack of 9 squid in the shallows at The Lake site, (Bonaire) and they showed some interesting behavior that I was hoping someone could explain. The pack was cruising and all dark, almost black in color. They tolerated me drifting slowly around them. there were 3 bigger squid and 6 smaller. the group started to flash from dark to light colors but stayed closeby. two of the big squid broke off and started to swim perpendicular to each other and the lower one did this interesting dance with splaying and twirling its tentacles. I wondered if it was trying to communicate something to me, or just having a bit of fun. see the attached pictures of the 2 "dancers."
it was a really cool experience. anyone have ideas?

 

[rainman_02]

Researchers think the flashing is communication between the squid.

 

[Garrobo]

Probably the salsa or merenque.

 

[Kafer]

Very cool pics!

 

[Guba]

Typically, "dancing" among marine species is usually either courtship/mating behavior or warnings to others to "stay outta my space". I'm not familiar with that species, so I can't identify which might be male and female, but I'd guess one was saying "hey, baby..." wink, wink, wink...
(or more likely...blink, blink, blink or flash, flash, flash...)

Great photos and you are fortunate to get to witness something like this at close range.

 

[GrandpaScuba]

two of the big squid broke off and started to swim perpendicular to each other and the lower one did this interesting dance with splaying and twirling its tentacles... anyone have ideas?

Uh... if we need to explain it to you, you need a better social life! :blinking:

This is mating behavior. :10:

 

[vel525]

Wow those are very cool pics.
And I'm not a marine biologist, but my guess would be they are, as Marvin Gaye would say, looking for some...."Sexual HEALLLLINGGG."

 

[u4ia]

Is this an argument supporting the idea that its possible to do too much diving ????

Unlike humans, I thought squid were more discreet - doing things like that publicly & in broad daylight!

:11:

 

[gary-ramey]

They look like common reef squid. Very cool to run into and get a photograph...especially during the day!

 

[Doc Harry]

The squid are gettin' ready to DO IT! He-he, he-hee...