Fish Identification Photos: Mexican Night Sergeant, Abudefduf declivifronsi: The Mexican Night Sergeant is characterized by its five faint white bars on an overall dark brown background.

It has a small mouth, a characteristic body similar to a freshwater bluegill, and a steeper head profile than the very similarly-shaped Panamic Sergeant Major. The Mexican Night Sergeant is very easy to identify and not easily confused with other species.

It is normally found inshore in a strong surge zone around rocky structure in the first 20 feet of the water column. The Mexican Night Sergeant is a diurnal feeder with a diet consisting of plankton, bethic invertebrates, algae. It reaches a length of approximately 7 inches.

The Mexican Night Sergeant is a member of the brilliantly-colored Pomacentridae or Damselfish Family. In Mexico, the Mexican Night Sergeant is found on the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula south of Magdalena Bay, in all waters on the eastern side of the Baja south of Santa Rosalia, and in all waters of the mainland south of Guaymas.

Mexican Night Sergeant, Abudefduf declivifrons: Caught from shore in the last hour of daylight, in May 2003, in 77-degree water, along the rock line and in the surge zone with pounding surf, in 10-foot deep water, utilizing a 15-pound test fish finder rig, 1.5-ounce barrel sinker, swivel, 3 feet of 15-pound test, and Mustad 92553 hooks, size #8, on cut squid at Km. 21, Cabo Real, between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Size approximately 6 inches and one-half pound, and for its size an energetic fighter. Due to its small size the Mexican Night Sergeant is a “catch and release.” A true classic nibbler that is exceedingly difficult to hook. The first picture was taken at the time of catch. The second picture a few hours later. The third picture is of a juvenile collected from a tidal pool. Description and photos courtesy John Snow.