variabilis, Opistognathus Smith-Vaniz [W. F.] 2009:92, Figs. 1e-f, 2e, 3d, 4e-f, 25-43 [aqua, International Journal of Ichthyology v. 15 (no. 2); ref. 30149] Tanjung Bobo (site 2), 1°02'35"N, 127°23'55.1"E, western Halmahera, depth 7 meters. Holotype: NCIP 6348. Paratypes: (70) at ANSP, ASIZP, BPBM, MCZ, PMBC, USNM, WAM. Plus non-type material. Type catalog: Ho & Shao 2011:43 [ref. 31432]. •Valid as Opistognathus variabilis Smith-Vaniz 2009 -- (Smith-Vaniz 2010:39, 42 [ref. 30922], Ho & Shao 2011:43 [ref. 31432], Smith-Vaniz 2011:38 [ref. 31597], Allen & Erdmann 2012:358 [ref. 31980], Smith-Vaniz et al. 2012:20 [ref. 32262], Biswas et al. 2013:1 [ref. 32524], Hibino et al. 2016:33 [ref. 35047], Koeda et al. 2016:31 [ref. 35333], Furuhashi et al. 2021:70 [ref. 38447], Smith-Vaniz 2022:314 [ref. 39947], Smith-Vaniz 2023:96 [ref. 40049], Allen & Erdmann 2024:382 [ref. 40796]). Current status: Valid as Opistognathus variabilis Smith-Vaniz 2009. Opistognathidae. Distribution: Indo-West Pacific: Maldives and Sri Lanka east to West Papua (Indonesia), Taiwan and Palau, north to southern Japan; ?Vanuatu. Habitat: marine.