Did you know that this fish is one of only a few species known to eat toxic animals like the crown-of-thorns starfish?

The colossal, colorful humphead wrasse (also known as the Napoleon wrasse) is one of the largest fish found in coral reefs. They are easily identifiable by their thick lips and the prominent bump on their foreheads. The coloring of adult humphead wrasses can range from a dull blue-green to brilliant shades of green or purplish-blue. Juveniles are white with dark scale bars and prominent black lines near their eyes.

Their coloring isn’t the only major change humphead wrasses undergo as they age. Like all wrasses, humphead wrasses can change sex; some individuals that start their lives as females may later transition to male. The factors that influence this amazing transformation are still being studied.

Learn more about the humphead wrasse!