The
bigfin reef squid (
Sepioteuthis lessoniana) is a commercially important
species of
loliginid squid. It is a small to medium-sized squid, averaging 3.8 to 33 cm (1.5 to 13.0 in) in length, and is characterised by a large oval fin that extends throughout the margins of its
mantle, giving it a superficial similarity to
cuttlefish. It also possesses
iridophores (particularly in the head), a form of structural colouration that produces
iridescent metallic greens and red when illuminated, as seen here. However, it does not have
photophores, and is thus not truly
bioluminescent.
Photo: Nick Hobgood