The tiny Hamlet, scientific name hypoplectrus, is located in the Caribbean Sea and Western Atlantic Ocean, and is a very unique species, with now 18 recognized sub-species. Some, in very limited locations.

A predator that has both sexes, it can mate into hybrid species as well as show a large variation of appearances within the same sub-species.

The image shown is H.Puella, commonly known as the Barred Hamlet. It is the second most common Hamlet species across the observed range.

Hamlets in general, are primarily found on Continuous Reef, Patch reef and Spur & Groove Reef between depths of 25 feet to 63 feet.

The pages in this section show variations of the species and distinguishing features of each sub-species.

Specialized Scuba is organizing scuba travel groups in an effort to go to locations where various Hamlets can be photographed, to try get images of all 18. Join us for the fun in the Great Hamlet Hunt!