Sergeant-major (Abudefduf saxatilis) (Linnaeus, 1758)

 

Synonyms: Abudefduf ascensionis, Apogon quinquevittatus, Chaetodon marginatus, Chaetodon mauritii, Chaetodon sargoides, Chaetodon saxatilis, Glyphisodon moucharra, Sergeant Major

 

 

Abudefduf saxatilis is the most common and widespread species of damselfish in the tropical Atlantic Ocean. In the western Atlantic, it occurs from North Carolina to Uruguay, including Bermuda, the Bahamas, the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea; in the eastern Atlantic, it is found from Cabo Verde to Angola; at depths 0-40 m. Adults inhabit shallow reef tops; juveniles are common in tide pools, mangroves, or at floating objects. Greenish yellow dorsolaterally, with 5 vertical black bars; males guarding eggs turn dark bluish. Up to 23 cm in total length; weight up to 200 g. Territorial, oviparous, forming pairs during breeding; eggs are adhered to the substrate. A. saxatilis feeds on algae, small crustaceans and other marine invertebrates. Juveniles sometimes clean larger fish, stingrays and sea turtles removing damaged tissue and parasites.

 

		D27663 Sergeant-major (Abudefduf saxatilis) Roatán, Islas de la Bahía Honduras Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D48595 Sergeant-major (Abudefduf saxatilis) South Bimini, Bahamas Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D27212 Sergeant-major (Abudefduf saxatilis), juvenile Roatán, Islas de la Bahía Honduras Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
		D48152 Sergeant-major (Abudefduf saxatilis) Juveniles cleaning Southern Stingray (Dasyatis americana) Gun Cay, Biminis, Bahamas Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
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