Sergeant Major
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Sergeant Major
Family: Pomacentridae
Abudefduf saxatilisLatest Reader Comment - See More
in the course of 2 weeks, the sergeant major has devoured 8 super crocea clams and stressed out 4 more. this species is hard to catch and loves to dine on... (more) Susan
One of the Sergeant Major's natural habitats are the beds of Turtle Grass (Thalassia), found in the inshore zones of the Florida Keys!
Abundant throughout the atlantic ocean in many regions, the Sergeant Major is a damselfish that is readily available, inexpensive, and hardy. Though they are cute little fish when purchased as juveniles, they can turn into very territorial adults. Make sure you have plenty of room and lots of decor for them, so they can claim a space of their own.
For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium
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Habitat: Natural geographic location: Atlantic Ocean: Rhode Island, USA to Uruguay in the western Atlantic. They are abundant on Caribbean reefs; around islands of the mid-Atlantic, Cape Verde, and along the tropical coast of western Africa south to Angola. Sergeant Major (Abudefduf saxatilis) is strictly an Atlantic species. The point map data in the Indo-Pacific region and Indian Ocean is the closely related species Abudefduf vaigiensis.
Status: These fish are not listed on the IUCN Red List.
Maintenance difficulty: The Sergeant Major is among the easiest of all marine fish to keep.
Maintenance: This fish will readily eat all kinds of live, frozen, and flake foods and algae. Finely chopped meaty foods (like brine shrimp) can be fed regularly. It is best to feed small amounts several times a day. In a reef situation they don't really need to be fed very often at all.
Foods: All kinds. See "maintenance" above.
Social Behaviors: Like all damselfish, they can be territorial and aggressive, especially as they get older. Should not be kept with others of the same species. Can be kept with other larger fish but watch them closely to be sure their aggression doesn't become destructive. Inhabits inshore and offshore coral reefs, usually found at depths between 1 and 12 meters.
Sex: Sexual differences: Not known.
Light: Recommended light levels: No special requirements.
Breeding/Reproduction: Some of the damselfish have been bred in captivity. See general breeding techniques under Clownfish on the marine breeding page.
Temperature: No special requirements.
Length/Diameter of fish: Sergeant Major adults can grow to 15.0 cm ( 5.9 inches).
Minimum Tank Length/Size: A minimum 20 gallon aquarium is recommended if this is the only fish to be kept in it.
Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong No special requirements.
Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom Swims at all levels of the aquarium.
Availability: This fish is readily available.
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