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Golden hamlet (Hypoplectrus gummigutta) — Serranidae

Golden hamlet

Hypoplectrus gummigutta
Family: Serranidae

The Golden hamlet (Hypoplectrus gummigutta) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 13 cm.

Length
13.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–45.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The golden hamlet is a small seabass (Serranidae) from reef water of the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 13 cm and has an elongate, vivid golden-yellow body with a blue-ringed mark on the snout. As a bottom-oriented ambush hunter it shelters among coral and rock and seizes small fish and crustaceans. Like other hamlets it is a simultaneous hermaphrodite that alternates roles when spawning. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Golden hamlet?

The Golden hamlet has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Golden hamlet live?

The Golden hamlet lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Golden hamlet get?

The Golden hamlet grows to a maximum of about 13 cm.

Is the Golden hamlet dangerous to humans?

No, the Golden hamlet is harmless to humans.

Is the Golden hamlet edible?

Yes, the Golden hamlet is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gouden hamlet sourced
English name
Golden hamlet sourced
Scientific name
Hypoplectrus gummigutta
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Golden hamlet; Orange hamlet verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
13.2 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
45.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Simultaneous hermaphrodite sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Hypoplectrus

More from the family Serranidae

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