Indigo hamlet
📖 Overview
Indigo hamlet (Hypoplectrus indigo), first described by Poey, 1851 is a small fish in the family Serranidae (order Perciformes). Adults typically reach 14.30 cm in maximum length. It inhabits marine coastal and open-ocean environments. Recorded depth range: 3 to 45 metres. It occurs in Tropical waters. It feeds on a mix of small fish and invertebrates as a mid-level predator. The species largely solitary in behaviour. On the IUCN Red List, it is classified as Least Concern.The species is important as a food fish, kept in the aquarium hobby, and considered a sustainable seafood option under current management. As a member of the Serranidae, it shares life-history and morphological traits with its relatives in the group.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
About 5 deep blue bars of uneven width; second bar, below dorsal fin, much wider than others .: short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Indigo hamlet is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 45 m , usually 3 - 17 m . Tropical Central Atlantic: Haiti, Bahamas, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Florida (USA) and continental western Caribbean.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Indigo 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) | 135 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Indigo 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 | Bad lucks · indigo hamlet |
| 🏳️Catalan | Hamlet indigo |
| 🌍CES | kanic indigový |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Hamlet-índigo |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | mero índigo · vaca añil |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 紫青低紋鮨 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypoplectrus bovinus | Poey | 1852 | Synonym |
| Plectropoma bovinum | Poey | 1852 | Synonym |
| Plectropoma indigo | Poey | 1851 | Synonym |
🦠 Common Diseases
The following diseases are known to affect Indigo hamlet.
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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