Synanceia verrucosa Bloch & Schneider 1801 —Reef stonefish

Status at New Ireland. First recorded from New Hanover by Peters (1877: 834).

Distribution and habitat. New Ireland: 1.—General distribution: Red Sea and East Africa east to Marshall, Tuamotu and Gambier islands, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia, Middleton Reef, New Caledonia, Tonga and Austral Islands. Secretive on coral or rubble areas adjacent to coral or rocky reefs including lagoon habitats, tidal pools and estuaries, 0–30 m depth. Transitional water and marine.