Humphead wrasse

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Humphead wrasse

Conservation status

Endangered

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Labridae
Genus:	Cheilinus
Species:	C. undulatus

Binomial name

Cheilinus undulatus
Rüppell, 1835

The humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) is a wrasse that is mainly found in coral reefs. It is also known by the name "Napoleon wrasse", "Maori wrasse", or "Napoleonfish", or "So Mei" (in Cantonese, or "Mameng" (in Philippines).

It has thick, fleshy lips and a hump that forms on its head above the eyes, becoming more prominent as the fish ages. Males range from a bright electric blue to green, a purplish blue, or a relatively dull blue/green. Juveniles and females are red-orange above, and red-orange to white below. Some males grow very large, with one unconfirmed report of a Humphead Wrasse that was 229cm long and weighed 190.5 kg. This fish can also change sex from female to male. The factors that control the timing of sex change are not yet known.

The Napoleonfish is much appreciated by divers, as it is an impressive, big fish that is very curious and easy to approach. In order to attract them divers at Ras Mohammed in the Red Sea used to feed them hard-boiled eggs. This practice is now banned, as it is not good for their health.

The humphead wrasse is long lived, but has a very slow breeding rate. This has made it an endangered animal, as it is not being replaced fast enough to compensate for the fishing rate. Its flesh is highly demanded in eastern Asia, selling at over a hundred American dollars per kilogram.