Epinephelus coeruleopunctatus (Bloch 1790) —White-spotted grouper

Status at New Ireland. First recorded from St. Mathias by Duncker & Mohr (1929: 57), based on ZMH 11795. Specimens observed by Jeff Kinch during CFMDP Survey at Kavieng fish market in 2004–2005, and by Barry C. Russell on 21 and 28 June 2014; a video of a specimen taken at Nubilus Island, off eastern New Hanover, 3–25 m depth, St. KR 90, in 2014 (identified by Barry C. Russell).

Distribution and habitat. New Ireland: 1, 2, 4.—General distribution: East Africa, Madagascar and western Mascarenes east to Marshall Islands, Fiji and Tonga, north to southern Japan, south to Western Australia, northern New South Wales (Australia) and New Caledonia. Found in coral reefs on coral or rock bottom, including tidal pools, 0–65 m depth. Marine.