Sergeant Major Damsel

The Sergeant Major, Abudefduf saxatilis, stands out among damselfish with its oval-shaped body, featuring a yellow hue near the dorsal area and a bluish/silver color on the underbelly. Its name is inspired by the distinctive black stripes on its back, reminiscent of the insignia found on a Sergeant Major’s uniform in the military.

Differentiating between males and females is challenging, which makes breeding them in captivity a complex task. Their diet is omnivorous, including small invertebrates, high-quality flake foods, and frozen meaty items. In a community reef tank, the Sergeant Major can exhibit bullying behavior, so it’s important to avoid pairing it with fish that are easily intimidated. With the appropriate tank mates, it is generally considered reef safe.