Atlantic Sergeant Major
Abudefduf saxatilis
Blackspot Sergeant
Abudefduf sordidus
About
The blackspot sergeant is a large, solitary damselfish native to the tropical Indo-Pacific, growing up to 24 cm.
Also known as: black-spot sergeant, blackspot sergeant major, yellow-banded sergeant-major, black-spot sergeant-major, spot damsel
- Length
- 24 cm
- Depth
- up to 3 m
How to tell it apart
Several barred damselfish look similar at a glance. The mark that pins down this species is the single black spot at the top of the tail base.
Appearance
The body is yellowish-grey with six broad brown bars crossing it, alternating with six or seven narrower pale bars. A single black spot sits at the upper base of the tail.
Habitat
This fish lives in rocky lagoons, on reef flat shorelines and around piers with mild surge, from the surface down to about 3 m. Young fish are common in tide pools, while adults move to deeper areas with more surge.
Did you know?
In Hawaii this fish is known as kupipi, and people there have traditionally caught and eaten it as food.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
