Epinephelus morrhua (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes 1830) —Comet grouper

Status at New Ireland. First recorded from Lihir Group, Namatamai District, New Ireland by Fry et al. (2006: 130).

Distribution and habitat. New Ireland: 5.—General distribution: Red Sea, Indo-West Pacific: East Africa, Madagascar and Mascarenes east to Cook Islands, north to southern Japan, south to Western Australia, New South Wales (Australia), New Caledonia, Tonga and Tuamotu Archipelago. Found on deep reefs, 80–370 m depth. Marine.