Napoleon wrasse

Biology

The napolean wrasse, one of the biggest reef fishes and the biggest member of the wrasse family, reaches two and a half metres in length and weighs more than 150 kilogrammes. Adults are distinguished by the hump on the front of the head and by their thick lips. It feeds on a large variety of animals but most surprisingly, and rarely found in other species, it eats poisonous animals such as boxfish and sea slugs.

Conservation

The napolean wrasse meat is highly valued commercially, especially in Asia. In China it is believed that its lips are an aphrodisiac. It inhabits 48 countries and territories, few of which have effective management measures to protect this resource. For these reasons, the napolean wrasse is an endangered species.

Curiosities

This wrasse has incredible vision because its eyes can turn almost 360º. They are protogynous hermaphrodite – all are born female and, at about nine years old, they can turn into males. They can live for more than 30 years.