Yellowbelly hamlet (Hypoplectrus aberrans)

Species facts

Scientific name

Hypoplectrus aberrans

Family

Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)

Order

Perciformes (Perch-like fish)

Class

Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)

Maximum length

13.0

Depth range

3–15 m (10–49 ft)

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 15 m

Climate

Tropical

Distribution

Western Central Atlantic: there are two color morphs that may be genetically different. Form 1 (brown dorsally and yellow ventrally, the brown pigment may extend farther ventrally than the blue pigment in form 2, leaving only the ventral surface yellow ) is found in Central America. Form 2 (blue or brown dorsally and yellow ventrally) is found in the Virgin Islands and the Greater Antilles. The only record from the Lesser Antilles is from Dominica. Although one specimen has been recorded from Florida (UMML 7085, specimen missing) this locality may be in error because no other specimen has been sighted in Florida apart from that record.

Conservation status (IUCN)

Not Evaluated

Threat to humans

Harmless

Resilience

High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)