The Florida Keys, a necklace of islands in a turquoise setting
Sealife guideThe sergeant majorAbudefduf saxatilis
Last updated on 09/02/2024 at 11:51 PM
The sergeant major (Abudefduf saxatilis)
Taxonomy
- Common name: Sergeant major
- French name: Sergent major
- Spanish name: Petaca rayada
- Scientific name: Abudefduf saxatilis (Linnaeus, 1758)
- Family name: Pomacentridae
- Order name: Perciformes
- Class name: Actinopterygii
Description
The sergeant major is a fish with an elongated, flattened body and a scissor-shaped caudal fin. The dorsal and anal fins have similar shapes. The sergeant major has a protrusible mouth equipped with sharp teeth. Its coloration ranges from white on the ventral side to bright yellow on the dorsal side, with wide dark vertical bands.
The sergeant major (Abudefduf saxatilis)
The sergeant major is a small fish that typically measures around six inches in length.
Habitat
The sergeant major is found in the shallow waters of lagoons and coral reefs where it takes refuge among the corals.
The sergeant major (Abudefduf saxatilis)
Did you know ?
The sergeant major is listed as many other marine species within The IUCN Red List of threatened species. The sergeant major appears in the IUCN Red List since 2015 within the category Least Concern !
The sergeant major (Abudefduf saxatilis)
Within the same family
Bicolor damselfish
(Stegastes partitus)
(Stegastes partitus)
Blacktailed damselfish
(Dascyllus melanurus)
(Dascyllus melanurus)
Blue-green chromis
(Chromis viridis)
(Chromis viridis)
Eastern clown anemonefish
(Amphiprion percula)
(Amphiprion percula)
Maldive anemonefish
(Amphiprion nigripes)
(Amphiprion nigripes)
Reticulated damselfish
(Dascyllus reticulatus)
(Dascyllus reticulatus)
Whitebelly damselfish
(Amblyglyphidodon leucogaster)
(Amblyglyphidodon leucogaster)
Yellowtail damselfish
(Microspathodon chrysurus)
(Microspathodon chrysurus)
Discover also
Banded mud moray
(Gymnothorax chlamydatus)
(Gymnothorax chlamydatus)
Hogfish
(Lachnolaimus maximus)
(Lachnolaimus maximus)
Masked puffer
(Arothron diadematus)
(Arothron diadematus)
Old glory
(Koumansetta rainfordi)
(Koumansetta rainfordi)
Palette surgeonfish
(Paracanthurus hepatus)
(Paracanthurus hepatus)
Pygmy seahorse
(Hippocampus bargibanti)
(Hippocampus bargibanti)
Sixbar angelfish
(Pomacanthus sexstriatus)
(Pomacanthus sexstriatus)
Tompot blenny
(Parablennius gattorugine)
(Parablennius gattorugine)
Best scuba diving destinations
Dive centers
Sea Dwellers Dive Center
Our latestUpdates
Monday, March 2nd 2026
The blueface angelfish
The blueface angelfish is a very colorful fish of the tropical coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific, recognizable by its bright blue head and its bluish body finely reticulated with yellow.
Wednesday, February 18th 2026
The Atlantic tarpon
The Atlantic tarpon is a large coastal fish that can grow up to 8 feet long and weigh over 330 pounds, with a silvery body covered in large, reflective scales. Known as the Silver King, it is famous for its spectacular leaps and fierce fight when hooked by sport fishermen.
Friday, January 30th 2026
The dugong
Discover the dugong, a gentle “sea cow” of tropical waters. Learn about its habitat, diet, reproduction, morphology, and the threats facing this unique marine mammal.
Photo of the Day
Dauphin bleu et blanc
(Stenella coeruleoalba)
(Stenella coeruleoalba)
Copyright © 2007-2026 auxBulles.com - All rights reserved. Legal notices.Photo credits - Our partners