Status at New Ireland. First recorded from New Ireland by Allen & Erdmann (2012: 571). Specimens photographed on 2–5 June 2013 during ACIAR Aquarium Survey at Kavieng (see Teitelbaum et al. 2013: 14); specimens photographed at Lissenung Island, Kavieng region by Dietmar Amon; a video of a specimen taken at Nubilus Island, off eastern New Hanover, 3–25 m depth, St. KR90, in 2014 (identified by Barry C. Russell).
Distribution and habitat. New Ireland: 1, 2.—General distribution: Persian Gulf, Maldives and India east to Caroline Islands and Fiji, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Found in coastal reefs, lagoons and seaward coral reefs, commensal with sea anemones, 1–60 m depth. Marine.