Large chromatophores densely cover

Large chromatophores densely cover the upper surfaces of the head, mantle and arms. They are distributed more sparsely on the ventral side.[26][27] The fins do not possess chromatophores on the underside.[22] Living specimens range in colour from translucent creamy white through pale yellow to brownish pink and brownish violet.[22][26][27]

Like some other cephalopods, bigfin reef squids are capable of metachrosis – rapidly changing body colouration and patterns through voluntary control of chromatophores.[24][28] They also possess iridophores (particularly in the head), a form of structural colouration that produces iridescent metallic greens and red when illuminated.[29] They are also possibly one of two squid species with leucophores. Leucophores are a reflector-type structural colouration that reflects ambient light, such that they are white in white light, green in green light, and so on