Cheilinus undulatus
Encounter Rate
Spotting Difficulty
Best Season
Year-round
Depth Range
2-60 meters
The Napoleon wrasse, also known as the humphead wrasse, is one of the largest and most charismatic reef fish in Komodo National Park. Mature males are truly impressive, reaching lengths of over 2 metres and developing a distinctive bulging forehead that gives them their common name. Their thick lips, intricate blue-green facial markings, and calm demeanour make them a favourite subject for underwater photographers. In Komodo, Napoleon wrasses are regularly encountered at current-swept reef sites, often cruising alone or in pairs along reef walls. They are intelligent, curious fish that frequently approach divers with what appears to be genuine interest. As protogynous hermaphrodites, all Napoleon wrasses start life as females, with some transitioning to male later in life. They play a vital ecological role as one of the few predators capable of eating toxic reef organisms like crown-of-thorns starfish and boxfish, helping to maintain reef balance.
Did you recently spot a Napoleon Wrasse?
Share your encounter with the diving community
Average Size
0.8-1.5m
Size Range
0.3-2.3m
Maximum Size
2.3m, up to 190kg
Feeds on hard-shelled molluscs, echinoderms, crustaceans, and fish. One of the few species that consumes crown-of-thorns starfish and toxic boxfish, playing a vital role in reef health maintenance.
The Napoleon wrasse, also known as the humphead wrasse, is one of the largest and most charismatic reef fish in Komodo National Park. Mature males are truly impressive, reaching lengths of over 2 metres and developing a distinctive bulging forehead that gives them their common name. Their thick lips, intricate blue-green facial markings, and calm demeanour make them a favourite subject for underwater photographers. In Komodo, Napoleon wrasses are regularly encountered at current-swept reef sites, often cruising alone or in pairs along reef walls. They are intelligent, curious fish that frequently approach divers with what appears to be genuine interest. As protogynous hermaphrodites, all Napoleon wrasses start life as females, with some transitioning to male later in life. They play a vital ecological role as one of the few predators capable of eating toxic reef organisms like crown-of-thorns starfish and boxfish, helping to maintain reef balance.
This species plays an important role in the marine ecosystem of Komodo National Park. Responsible diving practices help protect these animals and their habitat for future generations.
No encounters shared yet
Be the first to share your sighting of this species!
They are heavily targeted by the live reef fish trade, particularly in Southeast Asia, where they fetch extremely high prices at seafood restaurants. Their slow growth, late maturity, and low reproductive rate make populations very slow to recover.
Answer a few questions and our team will point you towards the perfect match!
Start nowIt's free and takes 2 mins
