Oceans and seas:Indigo hamlet
Indigo hamlet. Photo by Florent Charpin. reefguide.org
Published: November 5, 2009, 12:00 am
Updated: December 6, 2011, 9:06 am
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
C Michael Hogan
The indigo hamlet (scientific name: Hypoplectrus indigo) is a member of the grouper/seabass family (Family Serranidae) that live on coral reefs in the Western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
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Nassau grouper. Source: Florent Charpin/www.reefguide.org
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Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia (Animals)
Phylum:--- Chordata
Class:------ Osteichthyes (Bony Fishes)
Order:-------- Perciformes
Family:-------- Serranidae (Groupers/seabasses)
Genus:---------- Hypoplectrus
Species:--------- Hypoplectrus indigo (Poey, 1851)
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Physical Description
Indigo hamlets range from seven to 14 centimeters in length. Their bodies contain a number of broad indigo/blue bars separated by thinner white bars.
Distribution
This species is found in the tropical Western Atlantic in Haiti, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Florida (USA), and continental western Caribbean Sea . They are absent in Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Lesser Antilles.
Habitat
Indigo hamlets live on coral reefs at depths ranging from three to 45 meters.
Feeding Behavior
H.indigo is a generalist carnivore which feeds on shrimps, crabs, mantid shrimps and small fishes.
Behavior
Indigo hamlets are solitary and spend the majority of their time hunting alone in defended home ranges.
Reproduction
Reproduction in indigo hamlets takes place year round. They are simultaneous hermaphrodites, which means that they can be reproduce as males and females at the same time. Before sunset, the fish leave their home ranges to search for mates. After finding a potential mate, one of the hamlets acts as a female while the other acts as a male. They release gametes into the water column during a three second “mating clasp”. After approximately 15 minutes, the fish repeat the process but with each individual switching sex roles. Eggs are fertilized in the water column. After the eggs hatch, the larvae enter the pelagic stage until they settle back on the reef.
Conservation Status
The indigo hamlet is not deemed to be a species at risk.
References and Further Reading
- Encyclopedia of Life. 2011.
- FishID. 2010.
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Humann, P. and N. Deloach (Editor), 1994. Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. New World Publications, Inc. Jacksonville, FL. ISBN: 1878348078
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Deloach, N. 1999. Reef Fish Behavior, Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. New World Publications, Inc. Jacksonville, FL. ISBN: 1878348280
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Citation
Mark McGinley (Lead Author);C Michael Hogan (Topic Editor) "Indigo hamlet". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth November 5, 2009; Last revised Date December 6, 2011; Retrieved June 19, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Indigo_hamlet?topic=49523>
The Author
Mark McGinley is an Associate Professor in the Honors College and Department of Biological Sciences at Texas Tech University. He has conducted research in the evolutionary, behavioral, and community ecology of animals and plants. Dr. McGinley’s recent scholarly interests focus on educating the general public about scientific (particularly environmental) issues. He is currently working closely with students in an interdisciplinary degree program, Natural History and Humanities, which combine ... (Full Bio)
The indigo hamlet (scientific name: Hypoplectrus indigo) is a member of the grouper/seabass family (Family Serranidae) that live on coral reefs in the Western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
|
Nassau grouper. Source: Florent Charpin/www.reefguide.org
|
|
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia (Animals)
Phylum:--- Chordata
Class:------ Osteichthyes (Bony Fishes)
Order:-------- Perciformes
Family:-------- Serranidae (Groupers/seabasses)
Genus:---------- Hypoplectrus
Species:--------- Hypoplectrus indigo (Poey, 1851)
|
Physical Description
Indigo hamlets range from seven to 14 centimeters in length. Their bodies contain a number of broad indigo/blue bars separated by thinner white bars.
Distribution
This species is found in the tropical Western Atlantic in Haiti, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Florida (USA), and continental western Caribbean Sea . They are absent in Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands, the United States Virgin Islands, and the Lesser Antilles.
Habitat
Indigo hamlets live on coral reefs at depths ranging from three to 45 meters.
Feeding Behavior
H.indigo is a generalist carnivore which feeds on shrimps, crabs, mantid shrimps and small fishes.
Behavior
Indigo hamlets are solitary and spend the majority of their time hunting alone in defended home ranges.
Reproduction
Reproduction in indigo hamlets takes place year round. They are simultaneous hermaphrodites, which means that they can be reproduce as males and females at the same time. Before sunset, the fish leave their home ranges to search for mates. After finding a potential mate, one of the hamlets acts as a female while the other acts as a male. They release gametes into the water column during a three second “mating clasp”. After approximately 15 minutes, the fish repeat the process but with each individual switching sex roles. Eggs are fertilized in the water column. After the eggs hatch, the larvae enter the pelagic stage until they settle back on the reef.
Conservation Status
The indigo hamlet is not deemed to be a species at risk.
References and Further Reading
- Encyclopedia of Life. 2011.
- FishID. 2010.
-
Humann, P. and N. Deloach (Editor), 1994. Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. New World Publications, Inc. Jacksonville, FL. ISBN: 1878348078
-
Deloach, N. 1999. Reef Fish Behavior, Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas. New World Publications, Inc. Jacksonville, FL. ISBN: 1878348280
Are you absolutely sure you want to delete this article? This process cannot be undone and is permanent.
Yes, Delete This Article
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