Panamic Sergeant Major

Photo: Pablo Herrera · CC BY-NC

Panamic sergeant majors are the most abundant fish at Los Candeleros' shallow pinnacles, darting in dense clouds above the rock spires and descending to aggressively mob any diver who approaches their egg patches on vertical faces. Males turn a striking blue-grey during nesting and will headbutt camera ports and nip exposed skin in defense of their clutch, creating entertaining close-contact interactions. Their egg masses are a critical food source for the wrasse and damselfish that also crowd the pinnacle tops.