Indigo Hamlet (Hypoplectrus Indigo)

Also Known As: Indigo Sea Bass, Indigo Hamlet Basslet

Compatibility and Behavior The Indigo Hamlet is one of those compact basslets that punches well above its size in terms of presence. The body can range from a light blue-grey to deep indigo blue (particularly as it matures), overlaid with clean white patches and bands that come together in a bold and beautiful pattern. A sleek, slightly elongated profile, large eyes, and neatly edged fins give the fish a confident, predatory look as it cruises around the rockwork and peers into crevices for whatever's worth investigating. Personality-wise this is a semi-aggressive species that can get territorial, particularly toward other hamlets or similarly shaped fish, so it tends to do best alongside similarly sized or larger tankmates that aren't overly timid. It's generally considered reef safe with caution. It usually leaves corals alone, but it may opportunistically pick off tiny crustaceans, or ornamental shrimp if they're small enough to fit in its mouth. In a thoughtfully planned community, the Indigo Hamlet becomes an active, highly visible swimmer and percher that brings constant motion and rich color to the midwater column.

Aquarium Requirements A mature marine aquarium with plenty of live rock arranged into caves, ledges, and overhangs is the right setup, since secure retreats and natural hunting routes are both core to how this fish behaves. A tank with a reasonable footprint and broken sightlines goes a long way toward managing territorial pressure, letting the hamlet patrol without constantly clashing with tankmates. Moderate flow paired with strong biological filtration supports both the meaty diet and the water quality demands that come with it. Indigo Hamlets adapt well to a range of lighting styles and can be kept in mixed reefs or FOWLR setups, as long as the rockwork is substantial and the tankmates are well chosen. Offer a varied carnivorous diet of frozen mysis shrimp, finely chopped squid, and quality marine pellets or frozen blends to keep this basslet robust, colorful, and less inclined to harass smaller inhabitants out of boredom or hunger.

Specifications
Approximate Size: Smd 1.75-3", M/L 3-4"
Diet: Carnivore 
Origin: Western Atlantic/Caribbean reef habitats
Care Level: Moderate 
Reef Safe: With caution (generally leaves corals alone but may eat small shrimp or tiny fish)
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons or larger recommended, with ample rockwork
Special Considerations: Best housed with confident, similarly sized or larger tankmates; substantial rockwork with broken sightlines helps manage territorial behavior; small tankmates and ornamental shrimp may be at risk