Gonatids are mostly muscular squids of moderate size but are unusual in having the armature on the arms in four, rather than two, series (occasionally more than four series near the arm tips). The two medial series are usually hooks. Often the tentacular club has one very large centrally located hook. Species of the genus Gonatopsis are unusual in that they lack tentacles which are lost in the early juvenile stage.

Brief diagnosis:

An oegopsid ...

• with tetraserial armature on arms.
• usually with hooks on arms and often on tentacular clubs.