New Zealand fishermen have caught what is expected to be a world-record-breaking size squid. Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton said that the squid, weighing in at a colossal estimated 450kg (990lb),took two hours to land in Antarctic waters.

Local news said the Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni was about 10m (33ft) long, and was the first adult colossal squid landed intact. One expert said calamari rings made from it would be like tractor tyres.

Colossal squid, which are found deep in Antarctic waters, are thought to be about the same length as giant squid (Architeutis dux) but are much heavier. The species was first identified in 1925, but very few specimens have been found. The first specimen recovered intact, a 150kg (330lb) immature female, was caught on the surface in the Ross Sea near the Antarctic coast in April 2004.

Mr Anderton said the fishermen had been fishing for Patagonian toothfish in deep Antarctic waters when the squid – which was eating a toothfish – was caught. The squid was frozen in the ship’s hull and brought back to New Zealand for scientific examination.