Sergeant Major

The Sergeant Major has an oval, flattened body that is light gray or light blue with five bold black stripes running vertically from its upper body to its belly. Its upper body, including the back and top of the head, has a yellowish tint. The tail is bluntly forked with rounded tips, and adult males develop a deep blue coloration when courting or guarding their eggs.

The Sergeant Major is often seen in large groups swimming above the reef. It eats algae, small crustaceans, and plankton. During breeding, males become very territorial, preparing a nest on a hard surface and fiercely protecting the eggs laid by females until they hatch. Juveniles also act as cleaners, removing parasites, algae, and dead skin from other marine animals, including large Green Sea Turtles.