Gomphosus varius Lacepède 1801 —Pacific bird wrasse

Status at New Ireland. New record, based on photograph taken on 1 June 2013 during ACIAR Aquarium Survey in Kavieng District; a video of a specimen taken at Tungelo Island, off southeastern New Hanover, at 3–46 m depth, St. KR 104, in 2014 (identified by Barry C. Russell).

Distribution and habitat. New Ireland: 1, 2.—General distribution: Indonesia east to Hawaiian and Tuamotu islands, north to southern Japan and Ogasawara Islands, south to northern Australia, Lord Howe and Norfolk islands. Solitary, juveniles in groups, in coral-rich areas of lagoon and seaward coral reefs, 0–35 m depth. Marine.