Humphead Wrasse
Cheilinus undulatus
Sighting evidence at Ibo Island Reef, Quirimbas Archipelago
Photo: David Roche · CC BY-NC
Napoleon wrasse, locally called humphead wrasse, are present in unusually large numbers around Ibo Island, a testament to the site's protection from the spearfishing and live reef fish trade that has decimated this species across most of its Indian Ocean range. Mature males reaching 180 centimetres and over 100 kilograms patrol the outer reef slope, their prominent forehead hump and brilliant blue-green colouring making them among the most magnificent fish in the ocean. These long-lived fish are highly intelligent and develop individual personalities with regular divers, making Ibo's resident population one of the most rewarding wildlife relationship-building opportunities in East African diving.
Evidence at this site
No confirmed records on file at this site
Humphead Wrasse is listed as a curated species here based on historical reports.