Hypoplectrus chlorurus (Cuvier, 1828)
Yellowtail hamlet
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Serranidae (Sea basses: groupers and fairy basslets)
Max. size:  12.7 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 3 - 23 m
Distribution:  Western Central Atlantic: rare along the most of the continental western Caribbean, becoming occasional in the vicinity of Panama; Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Lesser Antilles, and islands off Venezuela. Absent from Florida, Marquesas Keys and the Dry Tortugas (USA); records from Texas, USA are almost certainly misidentified juveniles of Epinephelus sp.
Diagnosis:  Body blackish in color (intensity of the black can vary from bluish to brownish). All fins pigmented. Pectoral fins rarely yellow. Caudal fin bright yellow.
Biology:  A solitary species (Ref. 26340) found near the bottom of coral rich areas (Ref. 9710). Feeds on crustaceans and fishes (Ref. 26180).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 21 August 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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