Indigo Hamlet

Indigo Hamlet (Hypoplectrus indigo)

The Indigo Hamlet is a member of the Serranidae family, which includes sea bass and small groupers. This species inhabits coral reefs across the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas, and Florida Keys. Typically reaching lengths of about 5 to 6 inches, Indigo Hamlets are capable of preying on small crabs, shrimp, and fish. They tend to avoid larger fish, generally only displaying semi-aggressive behavior towards tank mates. In aquarium settings, Indigo Hamlets thrive in both Coral Reef and Fish-Only-With-Live-Rock (FOWLR) setups. They can coexist with most tank mates as long as these are smaller than 2 inches. While well-fed Indigo Hamlets usually leave cleaning crew invertebrates alone, they might target smaller shrimp and crabs. A unique feature of Indigo Hamlets is that they possess both male and female reproductive organs, allowing them to breed in larger aquariums or commercial breeding facilities. Their striking coloration, manageable size, and temperate behavior make them a popular choice for home aquariums. To successfully keep an Indigo Hamlet in a home aquarium, provide an environment that closely mimics their natural habitat. A tank of at least 70 gallons is ideal, offering ample swimming space and water volume to manage their bio-load. In the wild, these fish claim a specific territory on the reef and will do the same in an aquarium, protecting their space from similarly sized fish and other Indigo Hamlets.