Cheilinus fasciatus (Bloch 1791) —Red-breasted wrasse

Status at New Ireland. First recorded from St. Mathias by Duncker & Mohr (1929: 68), based on ZMH 11935. Specimens photographed in Kavieng region on 1 and 3 June 2013 during ACIAR Aquarium Survey; others photographed at St. KVGPMT39 (south of Lemus Island, Kavieng District) by Serge Andréfouët on 21 Aug. 2014; specimens observed at Kavieng fish market by Barry C. Russell on 14 and 28 June 2014; a video of a specimen taken at Nubilus Island, off eastern New Hanover, at 3–32 m depth, St. KR 88, in 2014 (identified by Barry C. Russell).

Distribution and habitat. New Ireland: 1, 2, 4.—General distribution: Red Sea and East Africa, Madagascar and Mascarenes east to Wake and Marshall islands, Samoa and Tonga, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Found in lagoon and seaward coral or rocky reefs, usually in areas with mixed coral, sand, and rubble, 3–60 m depth. Marine.