Steamed Napoleon wrasse, one of the must-haves in most Manila restaurants, may soon be off the platter. Hunting this vanishing species could hasten its extinction, the World Wide Fund for Nature has said recently.

The conservation group issued the warning after receiving reports that several restaurants in the Philippine capital as well as some Japanese restaurants serve the endangered fish. Also known as humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulates), the fish is long-lived but with a very slow breeding rate. This has made it an endangered species.