Details
Cheilinus undulatus
The Napoleon wrasse is a huge reef wrasse of the Indian and Pacific oceans. Active across day and night, it is a conspicuous, slow-cruising presence on coral reefs.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It uses reef slopes, lagoon reefs, and outer reef edges. Adults favor complex coral structure with caves or shelters for resting.
Length is about 100-230 cm and weight about 30-190 kg. Thick lips, lines behind the eyes, and a forehead hump in large adults are characteristic.
It usually moves alone or loosely spaced from others, cruising slowly over the reef. Large individuals may return to regular sleeping places.
It is carnivorous, eating mollusks, crustaceans, sea urchins, and fish. Strong jaws and teeth help it handle hard-shelled prey.
Adults may gather at particular reef sites to spawn. Its life history includes sex change, so loss of large individuals can affect breeding structure.
Its status is listed as Endangered. Demand as a luxury food fish, slow growth, and dependence on large adults make it vulnerable.
