Butter Hamlet

Butter Hamlets
Name: Butter Hamlet
Scientific Name: Hypoplectrus unicolor
Family: Hamlets & Sea Basses
Taxonomic: Serranidae
ID Group: Small Oval Fishes
Size: 3 - 4.5 in.
Depth Range: On the reef (10 – 60 ft.)
Sightings: Seen often

The Butter Hamlet has a body that ranges from light gray to yellow. Its head is marked with blue lines, and it sometimes has a black spot on its snout. It also has a large black blotch on the upper part of its tail base.

This Hamlet eats small fish and crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs. It may use mimicry, resembling the Foureye Butterflyfish to approach prey like gobies more easily. It has both male and female reproductive organs and can take on either role during spawning. Pairs take turns releasing eggs and sperm in a ritual that occurs at dusk.