The Napoleon Wrasse, is known by several different names; the Humphead Wrasse, Napoleonfish, Maori wrasse or Mameng. It is also one of the most favorite fish of divers to come across while Scuba diving. Firstly its size is an imposing presence, and its curious and intelligent looking eyes will watch your every move carefully. Humphead Wrasse are mostly loved by divers because they are extremely curious, often unafraid of divers and enjoy tactile interaction. Napoleon Wrasse are known to get attached to divers and can often recognize their favorite diver and approach to be stroked, often nudging the diver like a dog does when it wants to be petted.
Males of the Napoleon Wrasse family can reach up to 6 feet (2m) in length with the largest recorded Wrasse at 7.7 feet (2.29 m) are easily identifiable by their bright electric blue/green, purplish blue, or a relatively dull blue/green color with large lips and a prominent hump that forms on its head slightly above it’s eyes. Juveniles and females are reddish orange in color or a dull brown.
These creatures are usually found solitary on the slopes of coral reefs, reef edges and sharp drop-offs, in waters as deep as 330 feet (100m). Being opportunistic predators, they prey primarily on crustaceans, mollusks, sea stars, sea urchins and crabs. Wrasse are also known to feed on toxic, poisonous fish such as puffer-fish, boxfish and crown-of-thorns starfish, which is why they are such an integral part of maintaining the balance in the reef.
One of the more interesting facts about Napoleon Wrasse is their long lifespan, often living up to 30 years reaching sexual maturity only after 5-7 years. This however means that they have a very slow breeding rate, which has caused their numbers to dwindle over the years, primarily due to over fishing, and reef destruction. Napoleon Wrasse are now a protected species of fish in several parts of the world, and found only in large numbers in the Red-Sea, coast of east Africa and the indo-pacific.
photos by Taro Taylor
