Depth
Abudefduf · Bony Fish

Sergeant-major

Abudefduf saxatilis

Variable
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Mediterranean
Distribution
Variable
Depth Range
Variable
Max Size
Variable
Habitat
Variable
Diet
Variable
Social
LC
IUCN Status
Moderate
Sighting Likelihood
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassActinopterygii
GenusAbudefduf
Speciessaxatilis

Bony Fish

Identification & Biology

  • IdentificationSmall, deep-bodied damselfish with 5 prominent dark vertical bars on a silver-blue to yellow body. Forked tail. Bright yellow on the upper back, fading to silver below.
  • SizeUp to 23 cm total length, commonly 10 to 15 cm.
  • Social HabitGregarious, forming small schools around reef structures. Males become highly territorial and aggressive when guarding eggs.
  • HabitatRocky reefs, wrecks, and harbour structures. Commonly found around any hard structure in shallow water.
  • Depth1 to 15 m, most common between 2 and 10 m.
  • Feeds OnAlgae, zooplankton, small invertebrates, and fish eggs. An omnivorous generalist.
  • DistributionTropical and subtropical Atlantic. An increasingly common warm-water visitor to the Mediterranean.
  • DescriptionNamed for its bold stripes resembling a military sergeant's chevrons. The sergeant major is originally a tropical Atlantic species that has become increasingly common in the Mediterranean as waters warm. Males turn dark blue when guarding eggs on flat rock surfaces. Its growing presence is another indicator of the Mediterranean's tropicalization.

Range

Habitat & Distribution

Found across the Mediterranean Sea. Habitat and depth details to be confirmed.

Where Malta divers have spotted this species

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Sightings are logged by divers using our What Did You See? dive-log tool. View the full live sightings map.

Detail

Preferred Environment

Habitat details for Sergeant-major to be confirmed. Most commonly encountered in Mediterranean waters.

Encounter Tips

Best approached slowly and calmly. Avoid casting shadows directly over the animal. Neutral buoyancy and patience increase encounter success significantly.

Sergeant-major species card

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Where to Encounter in Malta

Dive sites where Abudefduf saxatilis may be encountered will be added as sighting data is collected.

IUCN Red ListLeast Concern

Conservation Status

This species is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Mediterranean populations face ongoing pressure from fishing activity, habitat degradation, and climate-driven changes.

Source: IUCN Red List
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