Status at New Ireland. New record, based on a video of a specimen taken east of North Cape, Kavieng District, 3–20 m depth, St. KR 20, in 2014 (identified by Barry C. Russell); another taken off southern New Hanover, at 4– 51 m depth, St. KR 110, in 2014.
Distribution and habitat. New Ireland: 1, 2.—General distribution: Madagasacar, Seychelles, Mascarenes and Maldives east to Tuamotu Archipelago and Gambier islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Western Australia, Lord Howe Island, New Caledonia and Rapa. Found in lagoons and on upper seaward reef slopes, 2–15 m depth. Marine.