The humphead wrasse is one of the largest coral reef fishes and occurs patchily throughout much of the Indo-Pacific region. Its late maturity, longevity, predictable spawning sites, and natural rarity make it highly vulnerable to over-exploitation.

Adult humphead wrasse are identified by thick lips and a prominent hump on their forehead, while juveniles are a light green color, with two black lines extending from behind the eye. The species changes in body form, color and can even change sex during its lifetime.

Adults are found on the reef during the day. At night they rest in reef caves and under coral ledges. This species reaches a maximum length of more than 2m and up to 190kg in weight.

Humphead wrasse feed primarily on mollusks, fish, sea urchins, crustaceans, echinoderms, and other invertebrates, using their strong teeth. The species may be one of the few predators of the toxic crown of thorns starfish, boxfish and sea hares.

The humphead is found in the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to South Africa and to the Tuamoto Islands (Polynesia), north to the Ryukyu Islands (south-west Japan), and south to New Caledonia. The species is naturally rare, with recorded maximum adult density of not more than 20 fish per 10,000 m². The population has reduced by 50% over the course of 30 years.