Napoleon Wrasse

Cheilinus undulatus. (NODE)

The colossal Humphead Wrasse, also called the Napoleon Wrasse, is one of the largest fish inhabiting coral reefs. It is easily identifiable by its thick lips, prominent bump on its forehead, and two black lines behind its eyes. The coloring of Humphead Wrasses can range from a dull blue-green to brilliant shades of green or purplish-blue. The Humphead Wrasse swims in outer coral reefs during the day and sleeps in reef caves or below coral ledges at night.

Humphead wrasses, like most wrasses, are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning that they can function as members of both sexes over their reproductive lives and that they will start as females. Later in life they may transition to males, but in some species not all individuals will transition. The exact queues that trigger this amazing transformation are still being studied.

The Humphead Wrasse feeds on mollusks, reef fish, sea urchins, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. They can even eat toxic sea hares, boxfish, and starfish. These enormous fish can grow up to six feet and weigh a whopping 400 pounds!