Ophiocara porocephala (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes 1837) —Flathead sleeper

Status at New Ireland. Originally described from New Ireland as Eleotris porocephala by Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes (1837: 237), based on MNHN A.1574 (2 syntypes); reported as Eleotris ophiocephalus by Günther (1877a: 185–186); subsequently recorded from Kavieng by Kailola (1975: 223). KFRS and WAM material.

Distribution and habitat. New Ireland: 2.—General distribution: South and East Africa, Seychelles and Mascarenes east to Fiji, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Found in brackish estuaries, river mouths and freshwater creeks, also in the lower courses of rivers, often upstream from the tidal zone, 0–5 m depth. Freshwater, transitional water and marine.