Napoleon and Jack swimming together

Napoleon Wrasse, aka Humpback Wrasse, are very important to coral reef health. They eat crown-of-thorn starfish and therefore keep populations of this damaging coral reef predator in check.
Commercial fisheries have been driving the Napoleon Wrasse towards extinction. Both adults and juveniles are targeted by the live reef fish trade, as well as being considered a luxury food, especially in Hong Kong, and is a victim of illegal fishing. Exploitation is particularly heavy in Southeast Asia, and threatens the region’s food security as well as its reefs, as poachers often resort to legal and destructive fishing methods to catch them.
 
The Tuamotus atolls feature rich ecosystems of underwater topography, thrilling pass dives, and huge variety of marine life dense along the reefs with surgeonfish, butterflyfish, soldierfish, wrasse, trevally, grey reef sharks, eagle rays, snappers and moorish idols.
 
Extinction Risk: Endangered
Scientific Name: Cheilinus undulatus