Identification:
This variant of Pseudoceros paralaticlavus is a stunning flatworm with a dark, velvety body, often black or deep purple, decorated with longitudinal light stripes running down its length. The number and clarity of stripes can vary, but they usually appear vivid, offering a striking contrast against the dark background. The body margin is typically plain, but the worm’s elegant gliding movement and sharp coloration make it a photogenic subject.

Size:
Grows up to 3 – 4 cm in length.

Habitat:
Spotted on coral reefs, rocky substrates, or algae-covered zones. It’s a benthic species that tends to move slowly in open view, sometimes found alongside sponges or tunicates.

Depth Range:
Observed between 5 – 25 meters, often in well-lit shallow waters.

Diet:
Feeds on colonial ascidians or other encrusting organisms. Like other Pseudoceros species, it uses its eversible pharynx to suck up its prey.

Reproduction:
Hermaphroditic. Reproduction involves traumatic insemination ("penis fencing"), where individuals compete to inseminate the other. Both may end up laying gelatinous egg masses on hard surfaces.

Fun Fact:
This species is part of a mimicry complex—its stripes may resemble those of toxic flatworms or nudibranchs, helping to deter predators.