Cheilinus undulatus

(Rüppell, 1835)

Vernacular names

English : Humphead wrasse
French : Labre Napoléon

Classification

Class : Teleostei
Order : Eupercaria i. s. (sometimes still Perciformes)
Family : Labridae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification

Adult males can reach a maximum length of 230 cm for a weight of 191 kg but are usually smaller. Unmistakable. Adult males are light blue with dark vertical stripes on each flank scales, prominent hump on forehead and huge lips.

Range and habitat

The species lives in the Indo-Pacific area, from the Red Sea to East Africa, east to Tuamoto Islands, north to South Japan, south to New Caledonia. Lives in outer reef slopes and lagoon reefs, from 2 to 60 meters deep.

Conservation

IUCN RED LIST : ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species is severely declining in its whole range because of overexploitation, both for food and for aquarium trade. Naturally uncommon.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation