Napoleon wrasse
Cheilinus undulatus
Sighting evidence at Elphinstone Reef, Marsa Alam
Photo: David Roche · CC BY-NC
Solitary Napoleon wrasse of impressive size — sometimes exceeding 150 cm — cruise the walls and plateau of Elphinstone, recognisable by their iconic humped forehead and thick fleshy lips. They are protogynous hermaphrodites, beginning life as females before the most dominant individuals transition to males, a biological strategy that maximises reproductive success in territorial reef environments. Endangered from spearfishing and live reef fish trade pressure, large individuals like those at Elphinstone represent an increasingly rare sight across the Indo-Pacific.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Napoleon wrasse is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.