Napoleon Wrasse

Information about the Napoleon Wrasse

Napoleon Wrasse Facts

English common name: Napoleon wrasse, Humphead or Maori wrasse

Napoleon Wrasse in the Maldives

Scientific name: Cheilinus undulatus

Characteristics: The Napoleon Wrasse is one of the biggest reef fish in existence, and can grow to more than 2 meters. The Napoleon Wrasse reaches its maximum size and adulthood at approximately 5 years of age, and can live for up to 30 years.

Color: The Napoleon Wrasse color pattern changes as it grows older, morphing from black to white when young to olive when a large juvenile to bluish green when a mature reef fish.

Maldives Scuba Diver and Napoleon Wrasse

The Napoleon Wrasse’s head possesses two black lines that extend backwards from the eye, earning it the Chinese name “So mei.”

Shape: Mature Napoleon Wrasse males have a hump on their heads.

Distribution: The Napoleon Wrasse is found primarily in coral reefs in the Indo-Pacific region.

Napoleon Wrasse Disbtribution

Threats to the Napoleon Wrasse

Habitat Destruction: Extensive coral reefs have been destroyed by use of explosives and poisons to catch fish, such as the Napoleon Wrasse.

Vulnerable to fishing: Naturally rare, it is easy to overfish as their population could not recover in pace with the fishing.

Removal of juvenile: The most desirable small individuals under 40 cm are fished before they are reproductively mature, because they are perfect plate size.

Uncontrolled trading: The Napoleon Wrasse is one of the highest valued food fish species and demand increases as their numbers become fewer.

Two Napoleon Wrasse on Sale in Saipan – Photo from http://jetapplicant.blogspot.com

Felix Sasamoto hauls in a 100+ pound Napoleon Wrasse – Photos from Saipan Tribune

Napoleon Wrasse Conservation Status

You can help! Choose wisely.

1. Do not choose threatened species.
2. Give Napoleon Wrasse a break.
3. Do choose hatchery raised reef fish such as Green Grouper and Mangrove Snapper.
4. Do not choose immature wild caught reef fish
5. DO share this information with your friend.

Humphead Wrasse – Photo from PBS Odyssey Log

Napoleon Wrasse Video

A quote from from the Odyssey captain in the Maldives.

“Then I noticed, amongst the backdrop of wonderfully colored fan corals, the charismatic Napoleon Wrasse, who had an air of grandeur and splendor about him making the dive complete before it even started.”

“Looking into his eyes and interacting with this wild and gentle fish was one of the most moving experiences I have ever had. This was an animal very much aware of our presence. When no one was petting him, he would maneuver around the group, giving the closest person a gentle nudge or a brush, perhaps to remind us that he still required our attention.” Read full story here.