Abudefduf sordidus

(Forsskal, 1775)

Blackspot Sergeant

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian and Pitcairn Islands, north to Japan, and south to Australia.

Size: 9 inches (22 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits rocky lagoons, reef flats and piers at depths between 3 to about 10 feet (1 – 3 m) and feeds on algae and benthic invertebrates.

General Husbandry: Not purposely collected for the trade. Quite drab, having a silvery body with six brown vertical bands and a black spot on the upper caudal peduncle.

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: One per tank/extremely territorial.

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: 125 gallons

Temperature Range: 74 - 84°F (23 – 29°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5