It is a rare, small squid which occurs in the mesopelagic to bathypelagic zones and which has a worldwide distribution in tropical and subtropical regions.

It is a distinctive squid having long arms I-III which have numerous small suckers in six rows.

[3] This species is named after Louis Joubin, a French zoologist.

It is the closest relative of the bizarre, famous bigfin squids (genus Magnapinna).

[4] The Joubin's squid has been sighted most recently by Schmidt Ocean Institute, but was first found at the northwest Hawaiian islands on a 2003 NOAA (National Oceanic And Atmospheric Administration) expedition which was first believed to be one of if not the best pieces of footage of the squid in its natural habitat.