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Bengal sergeant (Abudefduf bengalensis) — Pomacentridae

Bengal sergeant

Abudefduf bengalensis
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

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

Length
17 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–6.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The Bengal sergeant is a damselfish (Pomacentridae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species has a deep, laterally compressed, silvery-grey body with five to six black crossbars, characteristic of the sergeants. Adults live singly or in small groups on shallow inshore reefs and in lagoons. It feeds on algae, snails and small crabs. During breeding the male fiercely guards the eggs laid on the bottom. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bengal sergeant?

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

Where does the Bengal sergeant live?

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

How big does the Bengal sergeant get?

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

Is the Bengal sergeant dangerous to humans?

No, the Bengal sergeant is harmless to humans.

Is the Bengal sergeant edible?

The Bengal sergeant is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bengaalse sergeant sourced
English name
Bengal sergeant verified
Scientific name
Abudefduf bengalensis
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Bengal Sergeant; Bengal sergeant; Bengal sergeant-major; Bengal's sergeant verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.0 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)
6.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small 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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