The cow pilot is a stocky damselfish with bold vertical dark stripes running across a silvery body—a pattern that gives it the name "cow". Growing to around 20 cm, it inhabits rocky and coral reef habitats across tropical and subtropical waters, often seen in small aggregations near shelter. These fish are highly territorial and will vigorously defend their feeding grounds and breeding sites against intruders many times their size.
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Teleostei
- Order
- Ovalentaria incertae sedis
- Family
- Pomacentridae
- Genus
- Abudefduf
Most likely to be seen at
Sites where its range and habitat make it likely — not yet confirmed by a logged sighting.