Humphead wrasse

Depth: 40 m · Sunlight Zone

The humphead wrasse is one of the largest reef fish and carries a thick bump on its forehead. It is curious and grows very old. With its powerful lips it even eats venomous sea stars and snails that others avoid.

For scientists

The humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) is a protogynous hermaphrodite: large individuals change from female to male and develop the distinctive forehead hump. It is one of the few predators that safely eats venomous prey such as crown-of-thorns sea stars and pufferfish. It lives over 30 years and is badly threatened by overfishing.

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