Sergeant Major

Sergeant Major

Abudefduf saxatilis

Least Concern

Image generated by artificial intelligence

DESCRIPTION

The Sergeant Major (Abudefduf saxatilis) is a small, oval-shaped damselfish recognized by its silvery-gray body with five distinct black vertical bars, resembling military insignia. This omnivorous species forms large feeding aggregations over shallow coral reefs during the day, dispersing at night to hide in crevices. During breeding, males become bluish and aggressively guard nests of eggs laid on hard substrates.

Max Length 23 cm
Max Weight 200 g
Lifespan 2 - 15 years
Habitat Seabed, underwater cave, coastal zone, and coral reef
Depth Range 0 - 25 m
Diet Omnivore
Activity Diurnal
Social Behavior Mixed behavour
Range

Where Sergeant Major has been recorded

Fewer recordsMore records
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Sergeant Major

Where can you see the Sergeant Major?

The Sergeant Major can be seen at 15 dive destinations in Bahamas, Mexico, Belize, and Spain. The best spots include Andros Barrier Reef (Bahamas), Bimini (Bahamas), Canary Islands (Spain), Cozumel (Mexico), and Exuma Cays (Bahamas).

What is the best time to see the Sergeant Major?

The Sergeant Major can be seen all year round at Andros Barrier Reef, Bimini, Canary Islands, Cozumel, and Exuma Cays.

Where can you see the Sergeant Major in Bahamas?

In Bahamas, you can see the Sergeant Major at Andros Barrier Reef, Bimini, Exuma Cays, Long Island, Nassau, and Tiger Beach.

Where can you see the Sergeant Major in Mexico?

In Mexico, you can see the Sergeant Major at Cozumel, Holbox, Isla Mujeres, and Playa del Carmen.

Where can you see the Sergeant Major in Belize?

In Belize, you can see the Sergeant Major at Glovers Reef, Great Blue Hole, Lighthouse Reef Atoll, and Turneffe Atoll.

How big does the Sergeant Major get?

The Sergeant Major can reach up to 23 cm in length and 200 g in weight.

What habitat does the Sergeant Major live in?

The Sergeant Major is found in these habitats: seabed, underwater cave, coastal zone, and coral reef.

How deep does the Sergeant Major live?

The Sergeant Major lives from the surface down to 25 m.

What does the Sergeant Major eat?

Eats both plant and animal matter, which lets it adapt its diet to whatever the habitat offers.

When is the Sergeant Major most active?

Active during daylight hours. Morning and midday dives are your best chance to see it moving and feeding.

How long does the Sergeant Major live?

The Sergeant Major lives 2 to 15 years.

What is the conservation status of the Sergeant Major?

The Sergeant Major is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Every answer is built from the conditions and sightings data we keep for Sergeant Major. Spotted something that looks off?

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