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Damselfish (Abudefduf sexfasciatus) — Pomacentridae

Damselfish

Abudefduf sexfasciatus
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Damselfish (Abudefduf sexfasciatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 19 cm.

Length
19 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–20.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Large groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The scissortail sergeant is a damselfish (family Pomacentridae) of the Indo-Pacific. The species reaches about 19 cm and has a deep, silvery body with five black bars and a deeply forked tail whose lobes are black-edged, which gives it its name. It inhabits inshore and offshore coral and rocky reefs, often where there are many soft corals or hydroid colonies, and is frequently found in groups feeding on zooplankton, algae and small invertebrates. The eggs are attached to the substrate and guarded by the male. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Damselfish?

The Damselfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Damselfish live?

The Damselfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Damselfish get?

The Damselfish grows to a maximum of about 19 cm.

Is the Damselfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Damselfish is harmless to humans.

Is the Damselfish edible?

The Damselfish is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Schaarstaart-sergeant sourced
English name
Damselfish verified
Scientific name
Abudefduf sexfasciatus
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Demoiselle; Scissortail sergeant verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
19.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Large groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Abudefduf

More from the family Pomacentridae

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