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February 2006
Napoleon wrasse now in Ocean Voyager gallery
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Aquarium
Napoleon wrasse roams Ocean Voyager.
Seven Napoleon wrasse, pointy-nosed fish from the Great Barrier Reef that can grow to 7 feet long and weigh up to 400 pounds, are now swimming in the Georgia Aquarium’s Ocean Voyager tank.
The giant fish, sometimes called the Maori wrasse because the delicate patterns on its face resemble the tattoos of New Zealand’s Maori warriors, are sharing space with two whale sharks, a bowmouth guitarfish and thousands of other fish.
The Napoleon wrasse’ bright color and unique characteristics truly add to the Ocean Voyager exhibit,” said Tim Binder, Georgia Aquarium’s director of husbandry.
The species inhabits the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea.
“Most of these wrasses begin their lives as females,” said Paul Clarkson, manager of animal quarantine.
“As they mature, some of them will go through a sex change. They will change from animals with female sex organs to animals with male reproductive organs. They’ll change color. They’ll change size, and they’ll get a crest on their head.”
