Indo-Pacific sergeant (Abudefduf vaigiensis) is a saltwater species recorded in Hong Kong, Taiwan. It is mainly found over reef, coral, rocky, at depths of 0–15 m. The main season in Hong Kong, Taiwan runs all year.
Scientific name: Abudefduf vaigiensis · Water: Saltwater · Season: All year
Size: up to 20 cm
The Indo-Pacific sergeant is a pomacentrid with five dark bars, one of the commonest small fish of Taiwanese reefs and breakwaters. Adults live on the upper edge of outer reef slopes and on inshore rocky reefs, while juveniles associate with drifting seaweed. It is benthopelagic, feeding on zooplankton, benthic algae and small invertebrates, often in aggregations feeding at midwater or tending nests among rocks and coral ledges. It reaches about 20 cm total length, occurs from the surface down to 15 m, is present all year, and IUCN lists it as Least Concern. It schools and grazes algae and light tackle is enough to catch it, which makes it a good starter species.
Caution: large individuals carry a ciguatera risk. Heat, cold and marinating do not remove the toxin, which concentrates in the liver, roe and head, so avoid eating those parts. Seek medical help if numbness, tingling or a reversed sense of hot and cold follows a meal.
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