Humphead Wrasse

IUCN

Scientific Name：Cheilinus undulatus

Basic Information

Scientific classification

name：Humphead Wrasse
Scientific Name：Cheilinus undulatus
Outline：Large Fish
Family：Labridae Cheilinus

Vital signs

length：Common 60–120 cm; max ~180–200 cm
Weight：Typically 10–30 kg; very large to ~150–180 kg
lifetime：30+ years; late maturing

Feature

Large coral‑reef predator; protogynous; feeds on hard‑shelled invertebrates incl. crown‑of‑thorns; highly sensitive to overfishing/trade.

Distribution and Habitat

Indo‑Pacific outer reef slopes, drop‑offs and lagoons, generally 3–60 m depth.

Appearance

Prominent forehead hump (esp. males); thick lips; blue‑green with wavy lines; curved dark mark behind eye; juveniles darker with white blotches.

Details

The humphead wrasse (also called Napoleon wrasse; Cheilinus undulatus) is a giant reef fish of the family Labridae. It is a flagship predator on coral reefs, known for feeding on sea urchins, molluscs and starfish—includingcrown‑of‑thorns starfish. Global IUCN status: Endangered (EN); listed on CITES Appendix II (international trade strictly controlled).

Ecology & Life History

Inhabits outer reef slopes, drop‑offs and lagoons; diurnal and rests in crevices at night. A protogynous hermaphrodite(first female, then male) with late maturity and long lifespan, making populations highly sensitive to overfishing and the live‑reef fish trade.

Identification

Very large, robust body; adults—especially males—have a prominent forehead hump and thick lips. Colour ranges blue‑green to emerald with undulating wavy lines; often a curved dark mark behind the eye. Juveniles are darker with white blotches; fins often edged in blue.

Size & Longevity

Length: commonly 60–120 cm; maxima ~180–200 cm.
Weight: typically 10–30 kg; very large individuals to ~150–180 kg.
Life: 30+ years; late maturing.

Range & Habitat

Indo‑Pacific tropics from the Red Sea/East Africa to the western‑central Pacific (including the South China Sea, Coral Sea and Micronesia), generally 3–60 m deep on reef slopes and lagoonal reefs.

Threats & Conservation

Overexploitation, especially selective capture of large adults/males for the live reef fish trade.
Cyanide and blast fishing causing direct mortality and reef damage.
Habitat degradation from bleaching, pollution and coastal development.

Actions: enforce size/season/quotas and no‑take areas, ban destructive gears, regulate live‑fish trade and traceability, support community co‑management and reef‑friendly ecotourism.