Last update: 2013-03-05 22:53:44
Humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus)
Riesen Lippfisch (de), Napoleon Lippfisch (de), Wargacz garbogłowy (pl), Napoleon (pl), Chelin napoleoński (pl), Napoléon (fr)
Family:
Other names in English:
Common names in other languages:
Largest of all wrasses, adult males can grow up to 2 meters lenght and weight of 190 kilograms. Found usually on coral reef slopes, channel slopes and lagoon reefs up to 60 meters depth, often permanently occupying a given area.
Coloration of young males and femals is different than adult males.
Adult individuals feed mostly on molluscs. They are also know to hut other fish, crustaceans and echinoderms. Humphead wrasses are among the few predators known to hunt toxic animals such as boxfish and sea hares. There are reports of these wrasses preying on crown-of-thorns starfish.