Status at New Ireland. New record, based on a specimen photographed at Lissenung Island by Dietmar Amon on 16 May 2009, and by Dean Tully at 1 m depth on 19 Sept. 2015, and at 8 m depth on 26 Sept. 2015. Previously misidentified as Hippocampus kuda (non Bleeker, 1852) by Duncker & Mohr 1925: 18 (Kavieng, New Ireland), based on ZMH 12952 (2).
Distribution and habitat. New Ireland: 2.—General distribution: Indonesia and Papua New Guinea east to Fiji, south to New Caledonia. Found among seagrass and in mud habitats, 5–30 m depth. Marine.