All fish / Serranidae

Blue Hamlet

Hypoplectrus gemma

Also known as blue hamlet, florida blue hamlet, hamlet

The blue hamlet is a small, deep-bodied sea bass coloured an even bright blue all over, and its tail fin has darker blue edges at the top and bottom. Collectors keep it for that strong colour and its bold, curious habits around reef rockwork.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Keep singly, or as a mated pair in a large tank

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, chopped shrimp, krill, small crustaceans and quality frozen marine foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Atlantic: southern Florida, Florida Keys and Dry Tortugas

Breeding

Hamlets are hermaphrodites that produce eggs and sperm at the same time, and partners take turns releasing eggs at dusk while scattering them into open water. Rearing the tiny pelagic larvae in home aquariums is very difficult and seldom tried.

Good to know

It eats small shrimps and very small fish, so it is risky with ornamental crustaceans. Other hamlets look similar, and it is usually only available as wild-caught stock from Florida.