Hypoplectrus maya

Common Name

Maya Hamlet

Year Described

Lobel, 2011

Identification

Dorsal Fin: X, 14-15
Anal Fin: III, 6-7
Pectoral Fin: 13-14
Pelvic Fin: I, 5
Lateral Line: 48-54
Gill Rakers: 6-8 (upper), 11-15 (lower) on first arch

Body robust and laterally compressed. Steeply sloping head profile. Dorsal fin continuous with no obvious notch between spiny and soft portions. Anal fin much smaller than dorsal fin. Caudal fin is typically truncate to slightly emarginate. The mouth is large and terminal, with the lower jaw often slightly projecting. Jaws bear villiform teeth, with an inner band of enlarged canines. Scales are ctenoid and cover the body and much of the head. The lateral line is continuous and curves gently along the upper body.

Color

Body brilliant cobalt blue. Fins pale blue. No dark borders on caudal fin.

Size

Maximum size to 95mm SL.

Habitat

Coral reefs and seagrass beds, usually less than 10m depth.

Range

Known only from off Belize (Pelican Cays).

References

Lobel, P.S. 2011. A review of the Caribbean hamlets (Serranidae, Hypoplectrus) with description of two new species. Zootaxa No. 3096: 1-17.

Other Notes

More study with complete taxon sampling, many specimens from all over the Caribbean, and for multiple genes are required to determine just how many “species” of Hypoplectrus actually occur in the Caribbean Sea. The species are morphologically almost identical, and have weak genetic signatures indicating a recent radiation.