Indigo hamlet facts for kids
The indigo hamlet (Hypoplectrus indigo) is a cool type of fish that lives in the ocean. It's a kind of sea bass, which means it's related to other fish like groupers. You can find these fish in the warm waters of the western Atlantic Ocean. Sometimes, people even keep them in home aquariums!
Quick facts for kids Indigo hamlet |
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What Does It Look Like?
The indigo hamlet has a body that is quite tall and flat from side to side. Its head is also flat, with a straight forehead and a short snout. It has a mouth that can push out, especially its upper jaw.
This fish has a long fin on its back called the dorsal fin. It has ten strong spines and 14 to 17 soft rays. Its fins near the belly, called pelvic fins, are long. They can reach past its bottom opening. The tail fin is slightly split, like a fork.
The body and fins of the indigo hamlet are a deep blue color. It has seven dark blue-black stripes that go up and down its head and body. The exact look of these stripes and how bright the blue is can be a bit different for each fish. Some fish might even have thin black lines on the top and bottom edges of their tail fin. This fish can grow up to about 14.3 centimeters (5.6 inches) long.
Where Does It Live?
The indigo hamlet lives in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean. You can find it in places like the Bahamas in the north. It also lives along the Florida Keys in the Gulf of Mexico.
Its home range extends from Tuxpan in Mexico and the northern Yucatan Peninsula to northwestern Cuba. In the Caribbean Sea, it has been seen all over the Antilles, going as far south as Tobago. It also lives along the coasts of Central and South America, from Mexico down to Panama. You can also find it around the islands off the coast of Venezuela.
Home and Habits
The indigo hamlet prefers to live alone on coral reefs. It can be found in waters from about 3 to 45 meters (10 to 148 feet) deep. These fish stay close to the ocean floor. They protect small areas of the reef as their own territories.
They are usually careful fish. If you get close, they might swim away a short distance. But then, they often come back to check out divers who are staying still.
How They Reproduce
All fish in the Hypoplectrus group, including the indigo hamlet, are special. They are hermaphrodites, which means they have both male and female parts. When they are ready to spawn (lay eggs), they can switch between acting as a "male" or a "female." This allows them to take turns playing each role during spawning.
What They Eat
The indigo hamlet is a carnivorous fish. This means it eats other animals. Its diet mainly includes other small fish and small crustaceans that live on the ocean floor.
How It Got Its Name
The indigo hamlet was first officially described in 1851. It was named by a Cuban zoologist named Felipe Poey. He first called it Plectropoma indigo. The place where this fish was first found and described was in Havana, Cuba.
Keeping Them as Pets
The indigo hamlet is sometimes kept in home aquariums. However, it is not a very common fish in the pet trade. People who keep them say that they do well when they are cared for properly in a suitable tank.
