Species learning profile

Humphead wrasse

Cheilinus undulatus

Humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus) is a saltwater fish associated with reef habitat in Indo-Pacific. Large adults develop a prominent forehead hump and maze-like facial lines.

Test your recall

Your learning progress stays on this device.

প্রবালপ্রাচীরLabridae

At a glance

পানি
লোনা পানি
Habitat
প্রবালপ্রাচীর
সর্বোচ্চ দৈর্ঘ্য
229 cm
বিস্তৃতি
ইন্দো-প্যাসিফিক
গোত্র
Labridae
বর্গ
Labriformes

Observe

How to identify Humphead wrasse

  • Large adults develop a prominent forehead hump and maze-like facial lines.
  • Guide context: reef habitat in Indo-Pacific.
  • Reported maximum length: 229 cm — a genuinely giant fish. Maximum is not the same as typical adult size.

Field note: color, size, and markings can change with age, sex, season, depth, and lighting. Use several traits together.

Place and pattern

Where it lives—and how it behaves

Habitat and range

This species is associated with reef habitat across Indo-Pacific. Reef crevices provide shelter while current, coral, algae, and neighboring animals supply food.

Behavior

Roams large reef territories by day

Food-web connections

What it eats and why it matters

Diet

Molluscs, crustaceans, and echinoderms.

Ecological role

A powerful predator of crown-of-thorns starfish.

Remember

One fact worth keeping

Humphead wrasse প্রায় 229 সেমি পর্যন্ত বড় হয় এবং সাধারণত প্রবালপ্রাচীর-এর কাছে থাকে।

Think like a conservationist

A conservation lens

Reef fish are affected by coral loss, warming, destructive fishing, pollution, and the removal of key grazers or predators.

This habitat lens is not a current population-status assessment. Status can differ among regions and change as new assessments are published; follow the reference links and local fisheries or wildlife agencies for current decisions.

Recall

Quick knowledge check

Which habitat is most closely associated with Humphead wrasse in this guide?

Keep exploring

References and further reading

Fishdle summarizes stable identification and ecology concepts in plain language. Taxonomy and population knowledge continue to change, so use primary assessments and regional authorities for conservation or management decisions.

Make connections