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Blackspot sergeant (Abudefduf sordidus) — Pomacentridae

Blackspot sergeant

Abudefduf sordidus
Family: Pomacentridae
LC · Least Concern

The Blackspot sergeant (Abudefduf sordidus) is a brackish-water fish of the family Pomacentridae that grows up to 24 cm.

Length
24 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
0.0–3.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Rarely eaten

Description

The blackspot sergeant is a large damselfish of the family Pomacentridae from the Indo-Pacific. The species grows to about 24 cm and has a silver-grey body with five to six dark crossbars and a conspicuous black spot on the tail base, to which the name refers. It inhabits rocky lagoons, reef-flat shorelines and piers in zones with mild surge; juveniles in tide pools. As an omnivore it grazes algae and eats small zooplankton and small invertebrates. In spawning the male fiercely guards the eggs laid on the rocks. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blackspot sergeant?

The Blackspot sergeant has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a vertical stripes pattern.

Where does the Blackspot sergeant live?

The Blackspot sergeant lives in brackish water and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Blackspot sergeant get?

The Blackspot sergeant grows to a maximum of about 24 cm.

Is the Blackspot sergeant dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackspot sergeant is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackspot sergeant edible?

The Blackspot sergeant is rarely eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartstip-sergeant sourced
English name
Blackspot sergeant verified
Scientific name
Abudefduf sordidus
Family
Pomacentridae
Other names
Blackspot sergeant; Blackspot Sergeant verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
24.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey inferred
Pattern
Vertical bars inferred
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
3.0 verified
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Rarely eaten sourced
Fishing method
Vissen met natuurlijk aas (vis, garnaal, worm) of kunstaas dicht bij rif- en rotsstructuren. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Abudefduf

More from the family Pomacentridae

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