Order : Uncertain
Family : POMACENTRIDAE
Species : Abudefduf vaigiensis
Maximum Length : up to 20-22 cm

Abudefduf vaigiensis, the Indo-Pacific Sergeant, occurs in a variety of tropical, marine habitats, including shallow coral reefs (to 15 metres depth) and rocky shores. Where possible, juveniles may seek shelter amongst drifting seaweed which may help to disperse the species.

Like the Scissortail Sergeant, Abudefduf sexfasciatus, it bears 5 broad, vertical bars, however it lacks dark streaks along the centre of each lobe of the tail fin. The upper flanks between the first and third dark bars are often bright yellow.

Fishbase describes this species as 'oceanodromous', which means it is migratory but remains in salt water at all times.

This species ranges from the Red Sea and eastern Africa, across the Indian Ocean, throughout Southeast Asia to the western and central Pacific Ocean.

In 1998 the species was found off the coast of Israel, having apparently migrated through the Suez Canal, which links the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and which was completed in 1869 (Goren & Galil, 1998).


Figs 1 and 2 : Typical examples from Pangkor Laut, Perak, Peninsular Malaysia in the Andaman Sea.

Fig 3 : This specimen has a much darker head than is usual.

Fig 4 : Example from Tioman Island, Peninsular Malaysia in the South China Sea.


References :

Allen, G. 1988. Marine Fishes of Southeast Asia. Western Australian Museum.

Goren, M. & Galil, B. S. (1998). First record of the  Indo-Pacific coral reef fish Abudefduf vaigiensis  (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825) in the Levant. Israel Journal of Zoology, 44(1), 57-59.


Links :

Fishbase - Abudefduf vaigiensis