Cross breed Hamlets?

Hi

Whilst in Turks and Caicos, I came across this little guy

OK, given the poor quality of the photo (I am embarrassed to post it really, but it was the only way to answer my question) what I want to know is this...Do Hamlets interbreed?

The descriptions in my fish book say

Barred Hamlet (Hypoplectrus puella)

Bright blue vertical lines on head and around eyes, and spots on snout

Indigo Hamlet (Hypoplectrus indigo)

Blue ventral fins; pectoral fins white or clear

And this little guy seems to fit into both groups. Is he a cross breed? Or maybe a juvenile developing into his adult colours (I am using "he" loosley here, he may be a "she" - a cross breed cross dresser perhaps). I feel let down by my trusty fish books, can anyone help?

Cheers

Hal

Hamlets definitely cross breed; I have seen lots of photos of hybrids. Your guess looks pretty accurate to me, but perhaps an expert can comment.

Cheers,

Marli

Simple answer is yes, there are definately "hybrid" Hamlet types out there.

If memory serves, the question is if you can call it interbreeding. I believe some people don't think the differences between Hamlet types is enough to specify them as different hamlets, and then other people say clearly they are different.

So then you also raise the question are these Hybrids hybrids or just another sort of Hamlet we haven't seen enough of yet !

I personally have never seen two of different kinds mating, however I have seen a good few Hybrids in my time, a favourite being a shy (the eye area) and a masked .. so a white hamlet with a black eye mask with blue iridescent eye surround.