The Butter Hamlet (Hypoplectrus unicolor) is a small, vibrantly colored reef fish belonging to the Serranidae family, commonly found in the Caribbean Sea and western Atlantic Ocean. Characterized by its pale yellow coloration and distinctive body shape, the Butter Hamlet is a popular species among aquarium enthusiasts but is not a major target for large-scale commercial fisheries. Instead, it is primarily harvested in small quantities by artisanal and subsistence fishers in countries such as the Bahamas, Cuba, Jamaica, and other Caribbean nations, where it may be caught for local consumption or the ornamental fish trade. While the overall economic impact of Butter Hamlet fishing is limited compared to more commercially valuable species, the fish plays a role in local economies and marine biodiversity, and its collection is regulated in some areas to prevent overexploitation and to protect coral reef ecosystems.
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Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.