Napoleon Wrasse

Photo: Marlin Lee Ling · CC BY-NC

A small resident population of Napoleon wrasse patrols the deeper sections of Palikir Pass, with one particularly large individual known to local guides by its distinctive facial scarring from an old encounter with a hook. These fish are a symbol of reef health across Micronesia, having been heavily targeted by the live-reef fish trade in adjacent regions, and their survival at Pohnpei sites reflects the island's relatively low fishing pressure. Their curious, almost dog-like approach to divers has made them one of the most sought-after encounters on the pass.