Common name: Sergeant Major

The genus Abudefduf is known for its brightly colored damselfish species, commonly referred to as Sergeant Majors due to the stripes resembling military insignia. These hardy fish are popular in the reefkeeping hobby for their active behavior and ease of care. They are known to be territorial and may become aggressive, especially during breeding. In the wild, they often form large schools and are found in shallow reefs where they feed on algae, small invertebrates, and plankton. Their symbiotic relationships with other reef organisms, such as cleaning stations with wrasses, are fascinating to observe.