"Wally" the Napoleon Maori Wrasse in the Great Barrier Reef
Common Name: Humphead Wrasse, Napoleon Wrasse, Napoleon
Maori Wrasse
Family: Labridae
The Napoleon wrasse is one of the largest reef fish in the
world and is the largest member of the wrasse family. The enormous size of
the adult fish is made even more imposing by the prominent hump that develops on
their forehead, from which they earn their common name. Mature adults also
have Mick Jagger style thick lips. Juveniles can be identified by their
pale greenish colour and two black lines running behind the eye.
Unfortunately these fish are now on the endangered species list in many parts of
the world due to them being hunted for their distinctive lips thought by many to
contain aphrodisiac properties.
This species however is still found throughout the Indo-Pacific Oceans,
from the Red Sea and the coast of east Africa to the central Pacific, south from
Japan to New Caledonia. Associated with coral reefs; adults inhabit the
outer reef slopes and drop-offs, showing fidelity for particular sites, whilst
juveniles are usually found amongst thickets of living staghorn coral
Humphead wrasse are extremely long-lived, known to survive
for at least 30 years and taking around 5 to 7 years to reach sexual maturity.
Adults are usually solitary, spending the day roaming the reef and returning to
particular caves or ledges to rest at night. Very little is known about these
fish, although adult females are able to change sex, the triggers for this
development are not known. Pairs spawn together as part of a larger mating groups
that may consist of over 100 individuals. The plankton sized eggs are released
into the water and once the larvae have hatched they will settle out on the
substrate.
Using their tough teeth, these fish are able to consume hard shelled species
such as molluscs, echinoderms and crustaceans. They are one of the few predators
of species that destroy coral reefs, such as the infamous crown of thorns
starfish.
Throughout the world these fish are given names. This allows tourists
to feel closer to these friendly fish. The picture above
is of "Wally" who lives on Hastings Reef in the Great Barrier Reef about 40 to
50 miles out from Cairns.
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