Hypoplectrus nigricans (Poey, 1852)
Black hamlet
Hypoplectrus nigricans
photo by Burek, Joyce/Frank

Family:  Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Max. size:  15.24 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 13 m
Distribution:  Western Atlantic: Belize to Panama; throughout the rest of the Caribbean. Absent off the coast of Venezuela. Antilles (Ref. 26938).
Diagnosis:  Body blackish (the intensity of the black can vary from bluish to brownish ). All fins pigmented, including the pectorals.
Biology:  A solitary species (Ref. 26340) inhabiting shallow reefs (Ref. 9710). Feeds on fishes and crustaceans (Ref. 26180). Often found near the bottom around soft and hard corals. Occasionally been seen spawning with the H. chlorurus (Ref. 26938)
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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