Humphead Wrasse Cheilinus undulatus

Humphead Wrasse
Humphead Wrasse
Humphead Wrasse
The Humphead Wrasse is the largest living species of wrasse, growing up to 2 metres long (large males) and weighing up to 180kg. It is also known as the Maori and the Napoleon Wrasse.
juvenile Humphead Wrasse Above is an older juvenile.
Humphead Wrasse Older adult with humphead.
Humphead Wrasse
It is native to the Indo-Pacific region, particularly along the East African coast, Indonesia and the Great Barrier Reef. Part of nature's system of checks and balances, they are important to the health of reefs - the thick lips allow eating of spiny prey such as the Crown-of-thorns Seastar which are voracious predators of coral.
juvenile Humphead Wrasse
Humphead Wrasse
Humphead Wrasse
They are all born female. Although they can live to some 30 years, many don't get the chance since they are critically endangered by over-fishing and habitat degradation.