Indo-Pacific Sergeant
Abudefduf vaigiensis · a-boo-DEF-duf vy-gee-EN-sis
diurnalschoolsLeast Concern
EdibleFriendly
Superpower
Males turn blue and ferociously guard purple patches of eggs stuck to the rock.
At a glance
- Size
- typically 16 cm, up to 20 cm
- Lifespan
- 5–8 years
- Depth
- 1–15 m
Habitat
Shallow reef flats, jetties and rocky shores.
Diet
Algae, plankton and small invertebrates.
Can I eat it?
Yes — edible · tastiness 4/10.
How to cook: Eaten fried in some places, but small and bony.
Fun facts
- Its five black bars earn it the 'sergeant's stripes' name.
- Males turn bluish and aggressively guard their eggs.
- It is one of the most common fish on shallow reefs worldwide.