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FISH FACTS |
Description
Adult Humphead Maori Wrasse develop thick lips and a bulbous hump on the forehead. Juveniles are pale green with oval dark spots on the scales. There are two black lines running back from the eye. Usually solitary but may occur in pairs. Juveniles are found in coral-rich areas of lagoon reefs, with staghorn Acropora corals, also in algae reefs or seagrasses. Adults frequent reefs by day and rest in caves or under coral ledges at night.
Other Names
Humphead Wrasse
Size
length to 225cm. Weight to 190kg
Habitat
steep outer reef slopes, channel slopes, lagoon reefs
Food
mollusks, fish, sea urchins, crustaceans, and other invertebrates. Eats toxic animals such as sea hares, boxfish and crown-of-thorns starfish.
Range
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to South Africa and east to New Caledonia.
Classification
| Class: | Actinopterygii | | Order: | Perciformes | | Family: | Labridae | | Genus: | Cheilinus | | Species: | undulatus | | Common Name: | Humphead Maori Wrasse |
Relatives in same Genus
Redbreasted Maori Wrasse (C. fasciatus)
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