Hypoplectrus liberte is a new species of hamlet which was discovered living in a Caribbean Island not usually in the spotlight for its marine life, Haiti. Found in them large but isolated Bay of Fort Liberté, the liberty hamlet represents one of the most regionally isolated marine fish species in the Caribbean.
The newly described Hypoplectrus liberte is distinguished based on a unique pattern of dark half bars and spots on the dorsal region of its light colored body. It’s overall coloration is mostly tan with faint blue stripes and small spots on the face like many other hamlet species.
The liberty hamlet is most closely related to other well-patterned species of hamlets such as H. floridae and H. ecosur. H. liberte grows to an average size of three to four inches long, right in line with other hamlet species and is not particularly hard to find since it prefers shallow inshore habitats such as seagrass beds, muddy bottoms and marginal reef environments. [JOSF]
