Hypoplectrus aberrans

Poey, 1868

Yellowbelly Hamlet

Range: Western Central Atlantic Ocean: Two color morphs – one from the Greater Antilles/Panama and a second morph from the Virgin Islands.

Size: 5 inches (12 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits coral rich reefs and usually found at depths between 10 to about 50 feet (3 – 15 m) where it feeds mainly on crustaceans and smaller fishes.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade, yet attractive and quite hardy. One morph has a more yellowish body (from the Virgin Islands), and the second morph from the Greater Antilles has brown above the mid-body line.

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 adult 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