Pseudobiceros cf. gloriosus Newman & Cannon, 1994
top photo: Pauline Fiene, Molokini Islet, Maui
2nd photo: (swimming) Pupukea, O`ahu (at night)
3rd photo: (swimming upside down) Ralph Turre. Maui.
4th photo: Cory Pittman, Kapalua Bay, Maui. < 28 ft. Size: 60mm

According to the original description, Pseudobiceros gloriosus has a velvety back background "with three marginal bands: inner band wide, orange; middle band narrow, pink; outer band extremely narrow, dark burgundy. ... Pseudotentacles with orange and burgundy marginal bands (no pink). Ventrally deep burgundy." This Hawaiian worm seems to lack the pink band but otherwise fits the color description.

Many years ago the second photo was identified by Leslie Newman as Pseudobiceros gloriosus, so it is quite possible that this worm falls within the acceptable range of variation of P. gloriosus. However, Leslie never saw the much clearer 1st, 3rd and 4th photos, so we will be conservative and add the "cf".

P. gloriosus occurs from East Africa and the Red Sea to the Marshall Islands.

Similar to P. hymanae, but in that species the marginal band does not continue completely across the pseudotentacles.

Similar to Pseudobiceros periculosus and P. flavocanthus, but those worms lack a narrow dark rim..

BACK to solid color w marginal bands