Tokyo Sea Life Park has added a new exhibit of Napoleonfish (Humphead Wrasse Wrasse) to its "South China Sea" tank in the World Oceans area. Its standard Japanese name, "Humphead Wrasse," comes from the pattern around its eyes that resembles glasses.

Furthermore, as they grow, their heads swell, and because their appearance resembles the hat worn by the French emperor Napoleon, they are also called "Napoleonfish." This name may be more well-known.

This is the largest species of wrasse, growing to over two meters in length, and lives alone or in pairs in the warm coral reef waters of the Indo-West Pacific.

The Napoleonfish on display this time was about 90 centimeters long. After arriving at the aquarium, we were feeding it in a reserve tank, but it seemed to get fussy at times and wouldn't eat as we wanted, which was quite frustrating.

By the way, in the center of the "South China Sea" tank, there was a large grouper known in English as the "giant grouper," and I was worried that it might chase away the newcomer, the Napoleon wrasse. However, the giant grouper swam around the tank leisurely as if it owned the place. It didn't seem to mind at all, and my worries proved unfounded.

The tank containing the Napoleonfish is teeming with large fish, including not only giant groupers but also moray eels with their sharp teeth. As the person in charge, I can't let my guard down, wondering whether the new emperor Napoleonfish will grow up safely.

The Napoleonfish is a species whose wild population is declining, causing concern. It is also listed in Appendix II of the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), which regulates the international trade of wild animals and plants (species that are at high risk of extinction in the future unless international trade is regulated). Tokyo Sea Life Park intends to carefully breed and exhibit this precious individual.

[Tokyo Sea Life Park]

(July 21, 2006)