Sergeant Major

Care Summary

The Sergeant Major is a hardy, bold damselfish with distinctive yellow and black vertical stripes; it is reef-safe and one of the toughest fish you can put in a saltwater tank. House it in 55+ gallons; like most damsels it is territorial and will claim a section of the tank, harassing fish that invade its space, but in a larger system with plenty of rockwork this is manageable. It accepts virtually any food including flake, pellet, frozen, and live; it is one of the most bulletproof fish in the hobby and tolerates a wider range of water conditions than almost any other marine species. Be aware it grows to 6 inches and becomes progressively bolder and more territorial with age; the cute juvenile at the fish store is a different creature from the assertive adult in your tank two years later.