Abudefduf natalensis

Hensley & Randall, 1983

Natal Sergeant

Range: Western Indian Ocean: Mauritius, Reunion, Madagascar and South Africa.

Size: 6 inches (15 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits rocky reefs at depths between 3 to about 70 feet (1 – 20 m) and feeds on algae and benthic invertebrates.

General Husbandry: Not collected for the trade. Has a whitish body with three broad black vertical bands and a forth on the caudal peduncle.

Would be best housed with dottybacks, large angelfishes and surgeonfishes, and triggerfishes.

As to diet, similar to other species in this genus - a meaty diet, e.g., live fortified brine shrimp and/or finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc., and plant material, e.g., flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina and be offered several times daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Labroidei

Family: Pomacentridae

Subfamily: Pomacentrinae

Genus: Abudefduf

FYI: Shown here for identification purposes.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Feisty/belligerent

Diet: Omnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 75 gallons

Temperature Range: 74 - 82°F (23 – 28°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5