Gymnothorax pictus (Ahl 1789) — Peppered moray

Status at New Ireland. First recorded from New Hanover as Muraena picta by Peters (1877: 850); reported from St. Mathias and New Ireland by Duncker & Mohr (1929: 82). ZMH material.

Distribution and habitat. New Ireland: 1.—General distribution: Central Red Sea, East Africa and KwaZulu- Natal (South Africa) east to Panama, north to Ryukyu Islands and Minami Tori Shima, south to northern Australia to 23°30'S and New Caledonia. Found on shallow reef flats, under rocks or in reef crevices, 0–100 m depth. Marine.