Chelmon rostratus

Chelmon rostratus (Linnaeus 1758) —Beaked coralfish (Fig. 89)

Status at New Ireland. New record, based on a specimen photographed at Lissenung Island, Kavieng District, 8 m depth, by Dean Tully on 17 Sept. 2012, and a pair at 6 m depth, 23 Sept. 2012; another pair photographed at St. KVG19 (Bagail Bay, Kavieng District) by Serge Andréfouët on 19 Aug. 2014; a video of a specimen taken at Anelaua Island, off eastern New Hanover, 4–12 m depth, St. KR 130, in 2014 (identified by Barry C. Russell).

Distribution and habitat. New Ireland: 1, 2.—General distribution: Andaman Sea and Indonesia east to Philippines and New Guinea, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to northern Australia. Solitary or in pairs, in coastal and lagoon reefs, 1–25 m depth. Marine.