Rhinecanthus verrucosus (Linnaeus 1758) —Blackpatch triggerfish (Fig. 164)

Status at New Ireland. First recorded from Port Praslin, New Ireland as Balistes praslinoides by Lesson (1831: 117, poissons pl. 9, fig. 3), based on MNHN B.1771; reported as Balistes verrucosus by Günther (1910: 445), and from St. Mathias by Duncker & Mohr (1929: 74). Specimens observed in Kavieng Lagoon by Jeff Kinch during ACIAR Aquarium Survey in 2013 (see Teitelbaum et al. 2013: 15, R. verucosus); a specimen photographed at Lissenung Island, Kavieng District, 1 m depth, by Dean Tully on 27 June 2014; a video of a specimen taken in Senta Passage, east of New Hanover, at 5–16 m depth, St. KR118, in 2014 (identified by Barry C. Russell). ZMH material.

Distribution and habitat. New Ireland: 1, 2, 3, 4.—General distribution: Seychelles and Chagos Archipelago east to western Caroline Islands and Vanuatu, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Found in sheltered areas of mixed coral and rubble, or in seagrass habitats, 1–20 m depth. Marine.