Abudefduf saxatilis

Datasheet

General Description

The Sergeant Major, scientifically known as Abudefduf saxatilis, belongs to the Pomacentridae family and is characterized by its aggressive behavior and relatively large size compared to other fish within its family. Native to the West Indian Ocean, the Mexican Gulf, and the West Atlantic, these fish can grow up to 23.0cm in length.

Aquarium Suitability

With a hardy nature, the Sergeant Major is considered suitable for aquariums but requires careful consideration due to its aggressive temperament towards other species. It is recommended to keep them in groups of five or more individuals to help alleviate aggressive behavior.

Demands

These fish require specific water conditions, with recommended parameters being a pH of 8.1-8.4, a specific gravity of 1.020-1.025, a dKH of 8-12, and a temperature range of 22.2-25.6°C. They thrive best when provided with a varied diet including microalgae, small crustaceans, and zooplankton.

Care and Hardiness

The Sergeant Major is known for its hardy nature, making it relatively easy to care for in aquarium settings. Regular feeding, ample hiding spaces, and a spacious environment can help mitigate its aggressive tendencies to some extent.

Reef Suitability

Reef safe with caution, the Sergeant Major can be kept in a reef aquarium but may exhibit aggression towards other fish that come too close to their hiding places, especially when carrying eggs or near anemones.

Aquarium Setup

When setting up an aquarium for the Sergeant Major, it is crucial to provide plenty of hiding spots and space for the fish to establish territories. Maintaining a peaceful environment with suitable tank mates is essential to reduce aggression levels.

Behaviour

Sergeant Majors are known to be highly aggressive towards other fish, particularly peaceful or docile species. They exhibit territorial behavior and may become more aggressive when guarding eggs or having anemones in their vicinity.

Feeding and Diet

These fish primarily feed on soft coral, microalgae like spirulina, small crustaceans such as krill and mysis, and zooplankton like cyclops and pods. Feeding them a varied diet multiple times a day is recommended to ensure their nutritional needs are met.

Habitat and Distribution

In their natural habitat, Sergeant Majors are commonly found in the West Indian Ocean, the Mexican Gulf, and the West Atlantic. They prefer rocky areas with ample hiding spots and are known to thrive best when kept in groups in aquarium settings.