The Natal Sergeant – Abudefduf natalensis is a species of marine fish belonging to the family Pomacentridae, commonly known as damselfishes. They are known for their striking appearance and interesting behavior.
Description & Characteristics
The Natal Sergeant – Abudefduf natalensis is a relatively small fish, reaching a maximum size of 17.0 cm. They are easily recognizable by their vibrant yellow body, adorned with three distinctive black bars. The first bar runs across the eye, while the second and third bars are located on the body, often extending onto the dorsal fin. Their fins are generally yellow with a hint of blue, particularly on the anal and caudal fins. They possess a laterally compressed body with a slightly pointed snout and a dorsal fin that is slightly curved.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Natal Sergeant – Abudefduf natalensis is found in the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region. They are typically found in shallow reefs, rocky shores, and seagrass beds, with a depth range between 1.0 to 25.0 meters. This makes them common inhabitants of the Neritic Zone, where they find ample food and shelter. These fish can be observed in a variety of marine zones, including coral reefs, rocky shores, and sometimes even seagrass meadows.
Taxonomy
The species Abudefduf natalensis belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Ovalentaria incertae sedis, and Family: Pomacentridae. This classification places them among the ray-finned fishes, with their closest relatives being the damselfishes and clownfishes.
Feeding
The Natal Sergeant – Abudefduf natalensis is an omnivorous fish with a varied diet. Their feeding habits include consuming algae, copepods, daphnia salina, flakes, frozen food (small sorts), invertebrates, krill, mysis, pellets, and zooplankton. Their diet often depends on the availability of food in their environment.
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