Sergeant major
Abudefduf saxatilis · Pomacentridae
Also known as Sergeant major damsel
Beginner
Cheap, bombproof and often the first fish sold to Indian marine beginners; grows large and pushy.
- Minimum tank
- 265 L
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 15 cm
- Group size
- 1+
Will it fit your tank?
Sign in and AquaLog compares Sergeant major against every tank you track — volume, water type, temperature and pH — then adds it to your livestock in one tap.
Sign in to check my tanksReef & marine husbandry
- Specific gravity
- 1.023–1.026
- Reef safety
- Reef safe
- With corals
- Reef safe.
- With inverts
- Reef safe with adults.
- Minimum in a mixed reef
- 265 L
- Minimum fish-only (FOWLR)
- 265 L
- Aggression
- Very aggressive with size.
- Feeding
- Once or twice daily.
Care requirements
- Minimum tank volume
- 265 L
- Temperature
- 23–28 °C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Hardness
- 8–12 dGH
- Lifespan
- 8–12 years
- Diet
- Omnivore — pellets, algae, mysis.
- Care level
- Beginner
Origin & habitat
- Native region
- Atlantic and Indo-Pacific relatives worldwide
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Biotope
- Shallow rocky shores and reef flats
- Natural conditions
- Strong flow, robust set-up.
Behaviour & stocking
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Minimum group
- 1 fish
- Swims
- All levels
- Good tank mates
- TangsTriggersLarge wrasses
- Avoid
- Small peaceful reef fishNano tanks
Breeding & difficulty
- Breeding difficulty
- Intermediate
- Sexing
- Males darken while guarding.
- Notes
- Spawns on rock; male guards the patch.
- Common ailments
- Marine ich
