Pempheris oualensis Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes 1831 —Copper sweeper, bronze sweeper

Status at New Ireland. First recorded from New Ireland by Allen & Erdmann (2012: 512). A specimen photographed at Lissenung Island, Kavieng District, 16 m depth, by Dean Tully on 7 July 2011.

Distribution and habitat. New Ireland: 2.—General distribution: Red Sea, East and South Africa to Line and Marquesas islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Rottnest Island (Western Australia), Queensland (Australia), Lord Howe Island and Rapa, Madagascar and western Mascarenes. Found in large schools under overhanging corals and in caves of lagoon and seaward coral reefs, 1–36 m depth. Marine.

Remark. As the genus Pempheris is currently being revised by John E. Randall and collaborators, the classification of this species is provisional and may change at a later stage.