Hypoplectrus unicolor

(Walbaum, 1792)

Butter Hamlet

Range: Western Central Atlantic Ocean: Florida, Bahamas, and most of the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Size: 5 inches (12 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow fringing reef faces, fore-reef slopes, and areas under piers and usually found at depths between 10 to about 80 feet (3 – 25 m) where it feeds mainly on crustaceans and smaller fishes.

General Husbandry: Occasionally available in the trade, having a creamy white body with a black patch on the caudal peduncle, yellow pelvic and anal fins, and some yellow on the snout.

Best maintained in aquaria having rock caves and crevices, as those in this genus are somewhat shy and prefer places to take shelter when feeling the need. Tankmates should be large enough not to be eaten and peaceful.

As to diet, will eat most regular aquarium foods, e.g., live fortified brine shrimp and/or finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc., and should be offered once or twice daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Serranidae

Subfamily: Serraninae

Genus: Hypoplectrus

FYI: One per aquarium.

Will eat ornamental shrimp.

Experience Level: Beginner

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: With caution

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 80°F (22 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5