Pempheris vanicolensis Cuvier in Cuvier & Valenciennes 1831 —Vanikoro sweeper

Status at New Ireland. New record, based on specimen photographed at Lissenung Island, Kavieng District, 20 m depth, by Dean Tully on 8 July 2011; 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.—General distribution: Red Sea and East Africa east to Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Found in coral and rocky reefs, hiding in caves during the day; also entering estuaries and freshwater streams, 1–25 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.