Barred hamlet
📖 Overview
Barred hamlet (Hypoplectrus puella) is a ray-finned fish of the family Serranidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in reef-associated environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 15.2 cm. It occurs at depths between 3 and 23 metres. With a trophic level of 3.7, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Commercially fished and consumed as food.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 14 - 16; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 7. Body creamy white to pale yellow with six brown bars (the first of which runs through the eye, the second broad at nape narrowing towards the insertion of the pelvic fin, the third very wide, the fourth to sixth as wide as the second and evenly spaced behind the third bar); head and body with blue lines; pelvic fins vary in color, from white to yellowish; pectoral fins clear; caudal peduncle occasionally with a saddle .: short and / or deep.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Barred hamlet is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Barred hamlet is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Barred hamlet is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 23 m , usually 3 - 17 m . Tropical Central Atlantic: Bermuda, eastern Gulf of Mexico and throughout the Caribbean.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Barred 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) | 126 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Barred hamlet has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Bad lucks · Barred Hamlet · butter hamlet |
| 🏳️Catalan | Hamlet barrat |
| 🌍CES | kanic pásovaný |
| 🇫🇮Finnish | raitaperhoahven |
| 🇫🇷French | Hamlet marbré |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Hamlet-listrado |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | mero barril · vaca barreada |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 美麗低紋鮨 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hypoplectrus vitulinus | Poey | 1852 | Synonym |
| Plectropoma puella | Cuvier | 1828 | Synonym |
| Plectropoma vitulinum | Poey | 1852 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 16 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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