It is characterized by their reddish brown chromatophores on a pale white background. The chromatophores are dark and closely set on the head above the eyes. The body is elongate and the mid-rib of the gladius is clearly visible through the mantle skin. The fin length in adults can be up to 60% of the mantle length. The tentacular clubs have a large median manal sucker ring with 14-17 teeth. The arm sucker rings are broad and large, with 5 to 9 square papillae on the distal margin. In males, more than half the length (up to 75%) of the left ventral arm is hectocotylized, with the papillae not fused.