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Yellowtail sergeant (Abudefduf notatus) — Pomacentridae

Yellowtail sergeant

Abudefduf notatus
Family: Pomacentridae

The Yellowtail sergeant (Abudefduf notatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–12.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Solomon Is., Cambodia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel), Bassas da India and others

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Description

The yellowtail sergeant is a damselfish (Pomacentridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 17 cm and has a grey-green, laterally compressed body with five narrow dark crossbars and a yellowish tinge on the tail region. As a reef-dweller it lives in groups around shallow rocky and coral reefs and eats algae, zooplankton and small bottom life. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellowtail sergeant?

The Yellowtail sergeant has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly green and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Yellowtail sergeant live?

The Yellowtail sergeant lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Asia: Solomon Is., Cambodia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel), Bassas da India and others

How big does the Yellowtail sergeant get?

The Yellowtail sergeant grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Yellowtail sergeant dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellowtail sergeant is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Yellowtail sergeant (Abudefduf notatus) — Pomacentridae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Theo Modder (CC BY 3.0)
Yellowtail sergeant (Abudefduf notatus) — Pomacentridae — 3
donnymidas (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Yellowtail sergeant (Abudefduf notatus) — Pomacentridae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Ian Dugdale (CC BY 4.0)
Yellowtail sergeant (Abudefduf notatus) — Pomacentridae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Langzi, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Yellowtail sergeant sourced
Scientific name
Abudefduf notatus
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Demoiselle; Dusky damsel; Sergeant-major; Yellowtail sergeant; Yellow-tail sergeant; Damselfish; Yellow-tailed sergeant-major verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Green sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
12.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Solomon Is., Cambodia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel), Bassas da India and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Social behaviour
Small groups sourced
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

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

Same genus Abudefduf

Bengal sergeant (Abudefduf bengalensis) — Pomacentridae
Bengal sergeant
Abudefduf bengalensis
Pomacentridae
 Canary damsel (Abudefduf luridus) — Pomacentridae
Canary damsel
Abudefduf luridus
Pomacentridae
 Dusky seargent (Abudefduf concolor) — Pomacentridae
Dusky seargent
Abudefduf concolor
Pomacentridae
 Green damselfish (Abudefduf abdominalis) — Pomacentridae
Green damselfish
Abudefduf abdominalis
Pomacentridae
 Common sergeant (Abudefduf vaigiensis) — Pomacentridae
Common sergeant
Abudefduf vaigiensis
Pomacentridae
 Dovetail (Abudefduf taurus) — Pomacentridae
Dovetail
Abudefduf taurus
Pomacentridae

More from the family Pomacentridae

Acapulco damselfish (Stegastes acapulcoensis) — Pomacentridae
Acapulco damselfish
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 Alexander's damsel (Pomacentrus alexanderae) — Pomacentridae
Alexander's damsel
Pomacentrus alexanderae
Pomacentridae
 Allard's anemonefish (Amphiprion allardi) — Pomacentridae
Allard's anemonefish
Amphiprion allardi
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 Allen's chromis (Chromis alleni) — Pomacentridae
Allen's chromis
Chromis alleni
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 Andaman damsel (Pomacentrus alleni) — Pomacentridae
Andaman damsel
Pomacentrus alleni
Pomacentridae
 Ambon chromis (Chromis amboinensis) — Pomacentridae
Ambon chromis
Chromis amboinensis
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 Amboina damselfish (Pomacentrus amboinensis) — Pomacentridae
Amboina damselfish
Pomacentrus amboinensis
Pomacentridae
 Arabian damsel (Pomacentrus arabicus) — Pomacentridae
Arabian damsel
Pomacentrus arabicus
Pomacentridae
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