Acanthurus nigricans (Linnaeus 1758) —Whitecheek surgeonfish

Status at New Ireland. New record, based on specimens photographed on 1–2 June 2013 during ACIAR Aquarium Survey in Kavieng District (see Teitelbaum et al. 2013: 15); a video of a specimen taken on east side of Tsoileunung Island, southeast of New Hanover, at 6–21 m depth, St. KR 124, in 2014 (identified by Barry C. Russell).

Distribution and habitat. New Ireland: 1, 2.—General distribution: Cocos-Keeling and Christmas islands (eastern Indian Ocean) and Indonesia east to Guerrero (Mexico), north to Rykyu Islands, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Found in exposed seaward reefs, often below the surge zone, 1–67 m depth. Marine.