Shy hamlet
📖 Overview
A solitary species inhabiting rocky or coral reefs, often near staghorn coral . Travels in pairs and remains close to the bottom .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Head yellow, body black to brown (extent of the yellow and black portions can vary). The yellow and black portions are divided by a diagonal line that extends from the nape posteriorly and ventrally to the anal fin. Face and all fins yellow. Pectoral fins pigmented. Head with iridescent blue lines (as in butter hamlet but the lines are fewer in number and more pronounced). Two black spots bordered by iridescent blue may be found on the snout in the region of the nares.: short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Shy hamlet is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 30 m . Tropical Central Atlantic: Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Florida (USA), Bahamas, Greater Antilles, Lesser Antilles and Honduras.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Shy hamlet 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
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 132 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Shy 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Golden Hamlet · shy hamlet |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | vaca dorada |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypoplectrus accensus | Poey | 1852 | Synonym |
| Hypoplectrus pinnivaria | Poey | 1868 | Synonym |
| Plectropoma accensum | Poey | 1852 | Synonym |
| Plectropoma guttavarium | Poey | 1852 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Shy hamlet.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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