Sergeant major fish

Description:

Sergeant major fish, or pintano, are colorful damselfish and take their name from the numerous stripes resembling the rank of sergeant major in armies around the world. They grow to a length of about six inches and tend to school in the hundreds.

Habitat:

They are found off the south coasts of the United States, in the Caribbean, and in waters off both Central and South America, as well as off western Africa. They are found just below the surface down to approximately forty feet.

Notes:

When snorkeling, they appear to be curious and will, at times, come to within a foot of you. However, they are constantly in motion and, thus, difficult to obtain in sharp focus with anything less than professional underwater camera equipment.