Ray-finned Fishes of Zihuatanejo

CLASS ACTINOPTERYGII

-Cichlids, Damselfishes, and Allies (Order Cichliformes)

-Damselfishes (Family Pomacentridae)

-Sergeant Damselfishes (Subfamily Glyphisodontinae)

-Sergeant Majors (Genus Abudefduf)

-Mexican Nightsergeant (Abudefduf declivifrons)

The Night Sergeant, Abudefduf taurus, is a member of the Damselfish or Pomacentridae Family, and is known in Mexico as petaca toro. The Night Sergeant is a non-migratory species that is found in shallow water over and within rocky reefs at depths up to 5 m (15 feet). They are diurnal feeders consuming primarily algae.

Diet

Omnivorous reef fish that feeds on benthic microalgae, small sessile crustaceans, molluscs, and worms.
It forages among rocks and reef surfaces, picking small food items from the substrate.

Range

Tropical eastern Pacific, ranging from southern Baja California and the central Gulf of California south to Costa Rica, with additional populations in the Revillagigedo Islands.
It occurs along the Pacific coast of Mexico, including Guerrero and the Acapulco area.

Habitat

Primarily inhabits shallow rocky reefs exposed to wave action and surge.
Usually found from the surface to about 5 metres depth.
The species is closely associated with hard rocky substrate, where it feeds and uses reef structure for shelter.

Description

Medium-sized damselfish with a relatively deep, oblong and laterally compressed body.
Body is generally grey with four or five narrow whitish vertical bars.
Most body scales have dark margins, producing a finely outlined or reticulated appearance.
A narrow blackish bar or wedge-shaped dark mark occurs at the base of the pectoral fin.
Reaches approximately 18–19.5 cm in length.