Atlantic Sergeant Major
Abudefduf saxatilis
Canary Damselfish
Similiparma lurida
About
The canary damselfish is a small, dark fish that patrols its patch of rocky reef with the fearless attitude typical of damselfish, despite growing to only 17cm.
Also known as: Abudefduf luridus; Parma lurida; fula negra
- Length
- 12 cm · max 17 cm
- Depth
- 2–15 m
- Temperature
- 16–24 °C
How to tell it apart
Several dark damselfish share this reef habitat. Look for the blue margin along the fins, paired with the fish's noticeably large eyes, to tell this species apart from plainer dark damselfish.
Appearance
This damselfish is mostly black to brownish black, with a paler belly and blue edges along its fins. It has noticeably large eyes. Young fish show pale stripes along their sides, which fade as they grow into adults.
Habitat
It lives on rocky inshore reefs, often near sandy patches, at depths of 1 to 30m, usually shallower than 15m. Young fish shelter in tide pools. Found around the islands of Macaronesia, including Madeira, the Azores, and the Canary and Cape Verde Islands, as well as off Senegal.
Is it dangerous?
Harmless. A nesting male may charge your mask, but he cannot hurt you.
Did you know?
This fish is also called the Cape Verde gregory, but that same common name is also used for a completely different species, Stegastes imbricatus, so the name alone cannot tell the two fish apart.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
