Serranidae

Fricke, Ronald, Allen, Gerald R., Andréfouët, Serge, Chen, Wei-Jen, Hamel, Mélanie A., Laboute, Pierre, Mana, Ralph, Hui, Tan Heok & Uyeno, Daisuke, 2014, Checklist of the marine and estuarine fishes of Madang District, Papua New Guinea, western Pacific Ocean, with 820 new records, Zootaxa 3832 (1), pp. 1-247 : 57-66

Serranidae

Aethaloperca rogaa (Forsskål in Niebuhr, 1775) —Redmouth grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on a specimen observed by G. R. Allen. USNM material (USNM 279151).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea, East and South Africa east to Marshall Islands and Fiji, north to southern Japan, south to northwestern Australia, Queensland ( Australia) and New Caledonia. Found in coastal reefs and lagoons, often silty habitats, in or near caves in the reef, 1– 60 m. Transitional water and marine.

Anyperodon leucogrammicus (Valenciennes [ex Reinwardt] in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1828) —Slender grouper, slender rockcod ( Fig. 8 )

STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang by Kailola (1975: 91). Specimens observed and photographed at St. CTR 16, CTR 18, CTR 21, CTR 22, CTR 32, CTR 33; a specimen collected by W.-J. Chen on 5 Dec. 2012. AMS, CAS, KFRS, NTUM and USNM material.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea, East Africa and Mascarenes east to Marshall Islands and Tonga, north to southern Japan, south to Western Australia, Queensland ( Australia) and New Caledonia. Found in coral-rich areas and clear waters on lagoon and seaward reefs, 1– 80 m. Marine.

Aporops bilinearis Schultz, 1943 —Poreless podge

STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang by Randall & Baldwin (1997: 10–13); previously reported as Aporops sp. by Kailola (1987b: 238). USNM material.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa east to Hawaiian and Marquesas islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Found in crevices of coral reefs, 1– 15 m. Marine.

Belonoperca chabanaudi Fowler & Bean, 1930 —Arrowhead soapfish

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on a specimen observed at St. PR 102; another photographed by A. Berberian. ROM and WAM material (ROM 67069; WAM P.30629-013).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa east to Marshall and Society islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Found on steep seaward reef slopes, 4– 50 m. Marine.

Cephalopholis aitha Randall & Heemstra, 1991 —Rusty grouper STATUS AT MADANG. Originally described from Madang by Randall & Heemstra (1991: 29, pl. 1C, fig. 5). BPBM material.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Philippines and Indonesia to Papua New Guinea. Solitary on protected inshore reefs, including silty areas, 5– 33 m. Marine.

Cephalopholis argus Bloch & Schneider, 1801 —Peacock grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed by W.-J. Chen on Madang Market. AMS and USNM material (AMS I.16671-028; USNM 388292).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea, East and South Africa east to Wake Atoll, northern Line Islands and Pitcairn Group, north to southern Japan, south to Western Australia, Lord Howe Island, Tonga and Rapa, recently introduced to Hawaiian Islands. Found on coral and rocky reefs including tidal pools, 1– 40 m. Marine.

Cephalopholis boenak (Bloch, 1790) —Chocolate grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on a specimen photographed at St. CTR 16B. CAS and USNM material (CAS 63653; USNM 389022).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa, Madagascar and western Mascarenes east to Philippines and Solomon Islands, north to Shanghai ( China), south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Solitary, mainly in dead silty coral reefs and rocky reefs, 1– 64 m. Transitional water and marine.

Cephalopholis cyanostigma (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1828) —Blue-spotted grouper STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens collected by W.-J. Chen on Madang Market; also photographed by P. Laboute (St. PR 148) and by A. Berberian. CAS, NTUM and USNM material (CAS 65571, 65572, 65573; USNM 272458, 272461).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Malaysia and Indonesia east to Palau and Solomon Islands. Solitary in coastal and seaward coral reefs, 1– 50 m. Marine.

Cephalopholis leopardus (Lacepède [ex Commerson ], 1801) —Leopard grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens collected by W.-J. Chen at Madang Market; also photographed by A. Berberian. AMS, CAS, NTUM, ROM and USNM material (AMS I.17090-015, I.17091-001; CAS 65574, 65575, 65576, 65577, 65578, 65579, 65580; ROM 67064; USNM 295350, 388756, 388766, 388773, 388788, 388789).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa, Madagascar and Mascarenes east to Northern Marianas, Line and Marquesas islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to northern Australia north of 15°50'S, New Caledonia and Tonga. Found in coral-rich areas of lagoon pinnacles, channels, and seaward slopes of coral reefs, 1– 40 m. Marine.

Cephalopholis microprion (Bleeker, 1852) —Freckled grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang by Parenti & Allen (1991: 319). AMS and CAS material. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Malaysia and Indonesia east to Philippines and Vanuatu, south to Queensland ( Australia) and New Caledonia. Solitary on silty coastal reefs, 0– 20 m. Marine.

Cephalopholis miniata (Forsskål in Niebuhr, 1775) —Red coral grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens observed at St. PR 148; also photographed by A. Berberian. USNM material (USNM 388890).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea, East Africa, Madagascar and western Mascarenes east to Fiji and Tonga, north to Ogasawara Islands, south to Western Australia, Queensland ( Australia) and New Caledonia. Demersal in various coral reef habitats, 2– 150 m. Marine.

Cephalopholis polleni (Bleeker, 1868) —Harlequin grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed at St. CTR 20. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Comores and Mascarenes east to Palau and Line Islands, north to Ryukyu Islands. Solitary on seaward reefs, 30– 70 m. Marine.

Cephalopholis sexmaculata (Rüppell, 1830) —Saddle grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed by A. Berberian. WAM material (WAM P.30360-002).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea, East and South Africa east to Line, Marquesas and Society islands, north to southern Japan, south to Great Barrier Reef at 23°30'S and Lord Howe Island. Found in coral reefs, usually along deep walls with caves, rich with invertebrate growth such as large sponges or soft corals, 2– 50 m. Marine.

Cephalopholis spiloparaea (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1828) —Strawberry grouper, tomato grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed by W.-J. Chen in Madang Bay.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa, Comores and western Mascarenes east to Pitcairn Group, north to Taiwan, Ogasawara and Wake islands, south to Western Australia, New Caledonia and Rapa. Solitary in coral reefs, usually on steep outer slopes, 15– 108 m. Marine.

Cephalopholis urodeta (Bloch & Schneider [ex Forster], 1801) —Darkfin grouper STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on AMS and USNM material (AMS I.16671-048, I.17087-008; USNM 389042).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa, Madagascar and Mascarenes east to Wake Atoll, Line Islands and Pitcairn Group, south to northern Australia, New Caledonia, Tonga and Rapa. Found in coral reefs including lagoon habitats, 1– 60 m. Marine.

Cromileptes altivelis (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1828) —Humpback grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed at St. CTR 20.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Andaman Islands east to Philippines and Vanuatu, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Found in silty fringing reefs and seaward reefs, 1– 40 m. Marine.

Diploprion bifasciatum Cuvier [ex Kuhl & Hasselt] in Cuvier &Valenciennes, 1828 —Double-banded soapfish STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on a photograph by A. Berberian.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Maldives and India east to Philippines and Vanuatu, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Found in silty coastal reefs, 1– 50 m. Marine.

Epinephelus coeruleopunctatus (Bloch, 1790) —White-spotted grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed at St. CTR 32, and by A. Berberian; a specimen photographed by W.-J. Chen on Madang Market.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa, Madagascar and western Mascarenes east to Marshall Islands, Fiji and Tonga, north to southern Japan, south to Western Australia, northern New South Wales ( Australia) and New Caledonia. Found in coral reefs on coral or rock bottom, including tidal pools, 0– 65 m. Marine.

Epinephelus coioides (Hamilton, 1822) —Orange-spotted grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed at St. CTR 30. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea, East Africa and western Mascarenes east to Fiji, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Found in various reef-associated habitats, including estuaries, 0– 100 m. Transitional water and marine.

Epinephelus corallicola (Valenciennes [ex Kuhl & Hasselt] in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1828) —Coral grouper STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens collected by W.-J. Chen on Madang Market. AMS and NTUM material (AMS I.1659 -001; NTUM 10014, 10178).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Malaysia and Indonesia east to Philippines and Solomon Islands, north to Taiwan, south to New Caledonia. Solitary or in small groups on silty inshore reefs, including estuaries, 1– 30 m. Transitional water and marine.

Epinephelus cyanopodus (Richardson, 1846) —Speckled grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on a specimen photographed by G. R. Allen. AMS material (AMS I.16675-002).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Indonesia east to Philippines and Solomon Islands, north to southern Japan and Ogasawara Islands, south to Queensland ( Australia) and New Caledonia. Solitary on sand patches adjacent to coral reefs, 2– 150 m. Marine.

Epinephelus fasciatus (Forsskål in Niebuhr, 1775) —Western Pacific blacktip grouper STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on a specimen observed by G. R. Allen; name tentative, probably restricted to the Red Sea, with western Pacific populations probably representing a distinct species, Epinephelus marginalis (Bloch, 1793) .

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Western Pacific south to Lord Howe and Norfolk islands. Solitary on coastal and seaward reefs, 1– 100 m. Transitional water and marine.

Epinephelus fuscoguttatus (Forsskål in Niebuhr, 1775) —Brown-marbled grouper STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens observed and photographed at St. CTR 16, CTR 26. CAS material (CAS 65588).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa, Madagascar and Mascarenes east to Samoa, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to northern Australia, New Caledonia and Tonga. Found on coral reefs (juveniles in seagrass beds), 0– 60 m. Marine.

Epinephelus hexagonatus (Bloch & Schneider [ex Forster], 1801) —Star-spotted grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed at St. CTR 16B, CTR 17. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea, East Africa, Madagascar and Mascarenes east to Wake Atoll, northern Line Islands and Pitcairn Group, south to northern Australia, New Caledonia and Rapa. Found in shallow parts of rocky and coral reefs including lagoons and tidal pools, 0– 30 m. Marine.

Epinephelus lanceolatus (Bloch, 1790) —Giant grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed at St. CTR 13. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea, East and South Africa east to Hawaiian Islands and Pitcairn Group, north to southern Japan, south to Australia, northern New Zealand and Tonga. Found in reef habitats and adjacent estuaries, 0– 100 m. Transitional water and marine.

Epinephelus maculatus (Bloch, 1790) —Highfin grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens observed and photographed at St. CTR 16B, CTR 32; specimens photographed by W.-J. Chen, St. PD 57 and PD 79.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Cocos-Keeling Islands (eastern Indian Ocean) east to Samoa, north to Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands, south to northern Australia and Lord Howe Island. Solitary, on sand adjacent to coastal and seaward reefs, 2– 100 m. Marine.

Epinephelus malabaricus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) —Malabar grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed at St. CTR 30, and by A. Berberian.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea, East Africa, Madagascar and western Mascarenes east to Palau, Yap and Tonga, north to southern Japan, south to Western Australia, Sydney (New South Wales, Australia) and New Caledonia. Found in a variety of habitats including estuaries, 5– 150 m. Transitional water and marine.

Epinephelus melanostigma Schultz in Schultz, Herald, Lachner, Welander & Woods, 1953 —Blackspot grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens observed at St. CTR 23. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa, Madagascar and western Mascarenes east to Line and Cook islands, north to Taiwan, south to Western Australia. Found in shallow coral reefs and lagoons, 0– 7 m. Marine.

Epinephelus merra Bloch, 1793 —Honeycomb grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens observed and photographed at St. CTR 11, CTR 21, CTR 29. AMS and WAM material (AMS I.17069-003; WAM P.29624-012).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa, Madagascar and Mascarenes east to Wake Atoll and Pitcairn Group, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia, Lord Howe and Norfolk islands, Tonga and Rapa. Found in shallow protected and seaward coral reefs and lagoons, including tidal pools, 0– 50 m. Marine.

Epinephelus ongus (Bloch, 1790) —Specklefin grouper, white-streaked grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on a specimen collected by W.-J. Chen on Madang Market, another photographed underwater by P. Laboute on 25 Nov. 2012. AMS, CAS, NTUM and USNM material (AMS I.17081-004; CAS 65590, 65591; NTUM 10073; USNM 273644).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa east to Marshall Islands and Fiji, north to southern Japan and Ogasawara Islands, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Found in coastal and lagoon reefs, including estuaries and mangrove habitats, 5– 25 m. Transitional water and marine.

Epinephelus polyphekadion (Bleeker, 1849) —Camouflage grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed at St. CTR 11. USNM material (USNM 206119, labelled Epinephelus microdon ).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea and East Africa east to Marshall, Line and Tuamotu islands, north to Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands, south to northern Australia including Lord Howe Island. Found in coral-rich areas of lagoon and seaward coral reefs, 1– 46 m. Marine.

Epinephelus undulosus (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) —Wavy-lined grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on a specimen photographed by G. R. Allen. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa east to Philippines and Solomon Islands, north to Taiwan. Found on sand bottoms associated with coastal coral or rocky reefs, 15– 90 m. Marine.

Gracila albomarginata (Fowler & Bean, 1930) —Masked grouper, slenderspine grouper STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on a specimen photographed by A. Berberian. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa east to northern Line and Tuamotu islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to northern Australia, New Caledonia and Tonga. Found on the seaward slope of coral or rocky reefs, 6– 120 m. Marine.

Grammistes sexlineatus (Thunberg, 1792) —Sixline soapfish

STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang by Parenti & Allen (1991: 319). Specimens photographed at St. CTR 15, CTR 25. WAM material.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea, East Africa and East London ( South Africa) east to Marquesas Islands, north to southern Japan, south to northern New Zealand. Found in coral reef and lagoon habitats, 0– 130 m. Transitional water and marine.

Grammistops ocellatus Randall & Taylor, 1988 —Ocellated soapfish

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on WAM material (WAM P.30350-001). DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa east to Marshall and Society islands, north to Ryukyu islands, south to northern Australia. Found in lagoons and on seaward reef slopes, 8– 30 m. Marine.

Liopropoma collettei Randall & Taylor, 1988 —Collette's basslet

STATUS AT MADANG. Reported from Madang in original description by Randall & Taylor (1988: 30). USNM material.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Southern Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea; Hawaiian Islands and Johnston Atoll. Found in coral reef crevices, 1– 34 m. Marine.

* Liopropoma incomptum Randall & Taylor, 1988 —Plain basslet

STATUS AT MADANG. Originally described from Madang by Randall & Taylor (1988: 17, fig. 4). BPBM material.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Known only from Madang District, Papua New Guinea. Found in coral reef crevices of the seaward coral reef slope, 61 m. Marine.

Liopropoma mitratum Lubbock & Randall, 1978 —Headband basslet

STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang by Randall & Taylor (1988: 34–35). BPBM and WAM material.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea east to Caroline and Tuamotu islands, north to Philippines. Found in coral reef crevices and caves, on steep seaward reef slopes, 3– 46 m. Marine.

Liopropoma multilineatum Randall & Taylor, 1988 —Lined basslet

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on a specimen photographed by A. Berberian. WAM material (WAM P.30357-005).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Northwestern Australia east to Fiji, north to Philippines. Found in coral reef crevices of the outer coral reef slope, 20– 46 m. Marine.

Liopropoma susumi Randall & Taylor, 1988 —Striped basslet

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on ROM and WAM material (ROM 67072; WAM P.30350-006).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea and East Africa east to Line Islands and Samoa, north to Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands, south to northern Australia. Found in coral reef crevices of the outer coral reef slope, 2– 34 m. Marine.

Luzonichthys waitei (Fowler, 1931) —Waite's splitfin

STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang by Randall & McCosker (1992: 14–15); a specimen collected by W.-J. Chen, St. PR 40. NTUM and USNM material.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Seychelles east to Philippines, Solomon and Loyalty islands, north to southern Japan, south to Queensland ( Australia). Found in dense aggregations above live corals on seaward reef slopes, 1– 55 m. Marine.

Plectranthias inermis Randall, 1980 —Chequered perchlet

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on a specimen photographed by A. Berberian. WAM material (WAM P.31213-033).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Christmas Island (Indian Ocean) and Indonesia east to Philippines and New Guinea. Solitary on seaward reef slopes, 14– 65 m. Marine.

Plectranthias longimanus (Weber, 1913) —Longfin perchlet

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed by W.-J. Chen in Madang Bay, St. PB 30, PB 34; a specimen collected at St. PB 0 7. NTUM, ROM and WAM material (NTUM 10105, 10143; ROM 67076, 67114; WAM P.30631-011).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa east to Fiji, north to southern Japan and Ogasawara Islands, south to Queensland ( Australia) and New Caledonia. Solitary in coastal, lagoon and seaward coral reefs, 6– 75 m. Marine.

Plectranthias nanus Randall, 1980 —Dwarf perchlet

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on WAM material (WAM P.30365-017). DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Cocos-Keeling and Christmas islands (Indian Ocean) and Indonesia east to Marshall Islands. Solitary in lagoons and on seaward reef slopes, 6– 65 m. Marine.

Plectranthias winniensis (Tyler, 1966) —Redblotch perchlet

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on WAM material (WAM P. 30625-008). DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea, Seychelles and Mascarenes east to Hawaiian and Pitcairn islands. Solitary on seaward reef slopes, 20– 58 m. Marine.

Plectropomus areolatus Rüppell, 1830 —Squaretail coral grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed at St. CTR 22. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea east to Marshall and Phoenix islands and Samoa, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to northern Australia. Solitary in coastal, lagoon and seaward coral reefs, 1– 20 m. Marine.

Plectropomus laevis (Lacepède, 1801) —Leopard coral grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on a specimen photographed at St. CTR 16B. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa, Madagascar and Mascarenes east to Oeno ( Pitcairn Group), north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Western Australia, Queensland ( Australia) at 23°30'S, New Caledonia and Rapa. Solitary in coral-rich areas in lagoon and seaward coral reefs, 4– 100 m. Marine.

Plectropomus leopardus (Lacepède, 1802) —Leopard coral grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on a specimen collected by W.-J. Chen on Madang Market, and another photographed by A. Berberian. NTUM material (NTUM 10123).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Indonesia east to Philippines and Fiji, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Solitary in coastal and lagoon reefs, 3– 100 m. Marine.

Plectropomus oligacanthus (Bleeker, 1855) —Highfin coral grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed at St. CTR 32. A specimen collected by local fishermen and photographed on the central barrier reef on 27 Oct. 2012.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Indonesia east to Marshall and Solomon islands, north to Sabah ( Malaysia) and Philippines, south to Cape York (Queensland, Australia). Found on seaward coral reef slopes, 5– 147 m. Marine.

Pogonoperca punctata (Valenciennes in Cuvier & Valenciennes, 1830) —Spotted soapfish

STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang by Allen & Erdmann (2012: 306).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. KwaZulu-Natal ( South Africa), Madagascar, Seychelles and western Mascarenes east to Line, Marquesas and Society islands, north to southern Japan, south to New Caledonia. Found on seaward slopes of coral reefs, usually associated with large coral heads, juveniles in lagoons, 10– 216 m. Marine.

Pseudanthias bicolor (Randall, 1979) —Bicolour anthias

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on a specimen photographed by A. Berberian. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Mascarenes and Maldives east to Hawaiian and Line islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Queensland ( Australia) and New Caledonia. In aggregations, in coastal, lagoon and seaward reefs, 5– 68 m. Marine.

Pseudanthias dispar (Herre, 1955) —Redfin anthias

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens observed and photographed at St. CTR 0 4, CTR 13, CTR 14, CTR 20, CTR 32, and by P. Laboute (12 Dec. 2012, 32 m). USNM material (USNM 307790).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Christmas Island (Indian Ocean) east to Line Islands and Samoa, north to Yaeyama Islands, south to northern Australia. In large aggregations above the upper edge of steep coral reef slopes, 1– 32 m. Marine.

Pseudanthias huchtii (Bleeker, 1857) —Threadfin anthias

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed at St. CTR 25; also photographed by A. Berberian.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Eastern Indonesia east to Palau and Solomon Islands, north to Philippines, south to Vanuatu. Living in schools above coral outcrops, 1– 20 m. Marine.

Pseudanthias hypselosoma Bleeker, 1878 —Stocky anthias

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on BPBM material (BPBM 15815). DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Maldives east to Samoa and Palau, north to southern Japan, south to Queensland ( Australia). In aggregations in sheltered coastal reefs and lagoons, 6– 50 m. Marine.

Pseudanthias pleurotaenia (Bleeker, 1857) —Squarespot anthias

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang specimens observed and photographed at St. CTR 0 3, CTR 0 9, CTR 13, CTR 16, CTR 28, CTR 30.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Indonesia east to Marshall Islands and Samoa, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to northern Australia and New Caledonia. Found in groups above steep seaward reef slopes, 6– 180 m. Marine.

Pseudanthias smithvanizi ( Randall & Lubbock, 1981) —Princess anthias

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed at St. CTR 14, CTR 31. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Cocos-Keeling and Christmas islands (eastern Indian Ocean) east to Marshall and Phoenix islands, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Queensland ( Australia). Found in coral reefs, 6– 70 m. Marine.

Pseudanthias squamipinnis (Peters, 1855) —Scalefin anthias

STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang by Allen & Erdmann (2012: 302). Specimens observed and photographed at St. CTR 20, CTR 21, CTR 25, CTR 31.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea and Madagascar east to Society Islands, north to southern Japan, south to Western Australia, Lord Howe Island and Tonga. Found above coral outcrops or patch reefs of clear lagoons, channels, or seaward reef slopes; also on rocky reefs, 0– 55 m. Marine.

Pseudanthias tuka (Herre & Montalban 1927) —Purple anthias

STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang as Anthias tuka by Kailola (1987b: 221). Specimens observed and photographed at St. CTR 0 4, CTR 0 9, CTR 10, CTR 13, CTR 14, CTR 15, CTR 16, CTR 21, CTR 22, CTR 24, CTR 25, CTR 28, CTR 30, CTR 31, CTR 32, CTR 33; specimens collected by W.-J. Chen in Madang Bay. NTUM, USNM and WAM material.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Indonesia east to Philippines and Solomon Islands, north to southern Japan, south to northern Australia. Found in groups above seaward reef slopes, 7– 120 m. Marine.

Pseudogramma erythreum Randall & Baldwin, 1997 —Caban podge

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang and New Guinea, based on specimens collected by W.-J. Chen, St. PB 34 and PR 221. NTUM material (NTUM 10142).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Philippines to Papua New Guinea. Secretive in caves and crevices of coral reefs, 10– 30 m. Marine.

Pseudogramma polyacantha (Bleeker, 1856) —Pale-spotted podge

STATUS AT MADANG. First record from Madang by Kailola (1975: 97); record confirmed by Randall & Baldwin (1997: 39–45); a specimen collected at St. PB 0 7, another by W.-J. Chen in Madang Bay, St. PB 34. AMS, BPBM, CAS, KFRS, NTUM, SMF, USNM and WAM material.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. South and East Africa east to northern Line Islands and Pitcairn Group, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to northwestern Australia, Lord Howe Island and Tonga. Secretive in caves and crevices of coral reefs and coralline rock, including tidal pools, 0– 65 m. Marine.

Suttonia lineata (Bleeker, 1857) —Palestripe podge

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on ROM and WAM material (ROM 67093, 67094; WAM P.30630-003).

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Cocos-Keeling and Christmas islands (eastern Indian Ocean) east to Hawaian, Line and Society islands, north to southern Japan, south to Queensland ( Australia). Cryptic in coral reef crevices. Marine.

Variola albimarginata Baissac, 1953 —Lyretail grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed by A. Berberian. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. East Africa, Madagascar and Mascarenes east to Marshall Islands, Samoa and Tonga, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to Western Australia, Queensland ( Australia) and New Caledonia. Solitary in seaward coral and rocky reefs, 4– 200 m. Marine.

Variola louti (Forsskål in Niebuhr, 1775) —Coronation grouper

STATUS AT MADANG. New record from Madang, based on specimens photographed by A. Berberian. DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT. Red Sea, East and South Africa east to Pitcairn Group, north to southern Japan and Ogasawara Islands, south to Western Australia, Lord Howe Island and Rapa. Solitary in seaward coral reefs, 3– 240 m. Marine.

Figures

FIGURE 8. Anyperodon leucogrammicus (Serranidae), Madang Lagoon, St. CTR 32, M. Hamel, 6 Nov. 2012.