Spotted hamlet
📖 Overview
Spotted hamlet (Hypoplectrus ecosur), first described by Victor, 2012 is a small fish in the family Serranidae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 10.00 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 1 to 10 metres. It occurs in Tropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Data Deficient.The species is important as a food fish and kept in the aquarium hobby. As a member of the Serranidae, it shares life-history and morphological traits with its relatives in the group.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 15; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7. This species has the usual color and patterns of the brown Barred Hamlet but with some distinguishing markings: a pair of dark rounded spots found at the base of the caudal fin, above and below the midline, usually symmetrical, present on all stages, including adults; a series of four dark brown to black spots at the upper rear body with one smaller rounded spot at the dorsal edge of the narrow mid-body bar (fourth bar), a larger oval blotch, vertically elongated at the anterior upper end of the fifth bar, a smaller flattened spot at the rear upper edge of the fifth bar below the base of the last dorsal-fin rays, and a narrow squared blotch on the upper caudal peduncle filling the space between two thin blue bars (not the full width of the sixth bar); characters not frequent on Caribbean Barred Hamlets, but associated with this species and H. floridae, include the bar under the eye being orange, even when the body bars are brown, plus a dusky pelvic fin .: short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Spotted hamlet is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 10 m. Tropical known only from off Contoy, at the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula); but may extend into the Gulf of Mexico and Cuba.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Hypoplectrus Ecosur is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Detailed nutritional data for Spotted hamlet is currently being compiled from USDA FoodData Central.
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Spotted hamlet has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (lean white fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Spotted hamlet.
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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