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Yellowbelly hamlet (Hypoplectrus aberrans) — Serranidae

Yellowbelly hamlet

Hypoplectrus aberrans
Family: Serranidae

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

Length
13 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3–15 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Bahamas, Virgin Is. (UK), Cayman Is., Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Rp and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The yellowbelly hamlet is a small sea bass (Serranidae, hamlets) from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 13 cm and has a yellow-brown body with a yellow belly and fine blue lines on the head. As a reef-dweller it lives around coral reefs and hunts small crustaceans and small fish. Hamlets are simultaneous hermaphrodites: when spawning, partners alternate sex roles. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellowbelly hamlet?

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

Where does the Yellowbelly hamlet live?

The Yellowbelly hamlet lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: Bahamas, Virgin Is. (UK), Cayman Is., Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Rp and others

How big does the Yellowbelly hamlet get?

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

Is the Yellowbelly hamlet dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellowbelly hamlet is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Yellowbelly hamlet edible?

Yes, the Yellowbelly hamlet is commonly eaten.

More photos

Yellowbelly hamlet (Hypoplectrus aberrans) — Serranidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) terence zahner, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Yellowbelly hamlet (Hypoplectrus aberrans) — Serranidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Thomas Menut, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Yellowbelly hamlet (Hypoplectrus aberrans) — Serranidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Tayton Alvis, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Yellowbelly hamlet (Hypoplectrus aberrans) — Serranidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Cos (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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All data

Identification

English name
Yellowbelly hamlet sourced
Scientific name
Hypoplectrus aberrans
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Yellowbellied hamlet; Yellowbelly Hamlet; Yellowbelly hamlet; Yellow-belly hamlet; Bad lucks verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
3 verified
Max depth (m)
15 verified
Natural range
North America: Bahamas, Virgin Is. (UK), Cayman Is., Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Rp and others sourced
Origin
Native

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates
Territorial
No
Reproduction
Simultaneous hermaphrodite sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. 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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