Abudefduf hoefleri

(Steindachner, 1881)

African Sergeant

Range: Eastern Atlantic Ocean: Senegal to Benin, including Cape Verde.

Size: 8 inches (20 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits inshore rocky reefs at depths between 3 to about 70 feet (1 – 20 m) and feeds on algae and benthic invertebrates.

General Husbandry: Not yet collected for the trade. Juveniles have a dark bluish body with blackish fins with adults quite paler.

Would be best housed with dottybacks, large angelfishes and surgeonfishes, and triggerfishes.

As to diet, similar to other species in this genus - a meaty diet, e.g., live fortified brine shrimp and/or finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam, etc., and plant material, e.g., flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina and be offered several times daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Labroidei

Family: Pomacentridae

Subfamily: Pomacentrinae

Genus: Abudefduf

FYI: Shown here for identification purpose.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Feisty/belligerent

Diet: Omnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 100 gallons

Temperature Range: 68 - 79°F (20 – 26°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5