Histioteuthis meleagroteuthis is a species of small to medium squids that have a dark, wine-red skin pigment.

Histioteuthis meleagroteuthis have a line of protuberant tubercles which run along the front of the dorsal midline on the squid's mantle.

This species has been found in tropical and subtropical oceans spanning the globe and seem to be more abundant in areas with slopes of land.

Both sexes live fairly short life spans and generally die soon after reproducing, which is done sexually and involves spawning and brooding.

Males possess a specialized arm called a hectocotylus, which is inserted into the female's mantle cavity and is used to transfer spermatophores.