Yellowtail Sergeant

The species can grow up to a maximum length of up to 17 cm (6.7 in). It is gray with 5 vertical black bands and a yellow caudal fin. It has 13 dorsal spines, 13 to 14 dorsal soft rays, 2 anal spines, and 13 to 14 anal soft rays.

This species of damselfish is found in the Indo-Pacific. In the Indian Ocean, it occurs in the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, eastern Africa, Madagascar, Seychelles, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, the Andaman Sea, Indonesia, and Australia. In the Pacific Ocean, it occurs in the Gulf of Thailand, Indonesia, the Great Barrier Reef around Australia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, New Caledonia, and various islands in the western Pacific Ocean. It typically occurs at depths of 1 to 12 m (3 to 39 ft). Adults live in coral reefs and lagoons while juveniles are found in the open sea.

Abudefduf notatus forms roving aggregations which are noted to be rather difficult to approach. It is an oviparous species, with individuals forming distinct pairs during breeding and males guarding and aerating eggs.