The Indo-Pacific sergeant (Abudefduf vaigiensis) is a species of damselfish in the family Pomacentridae. It may also be known as the Sergeant major although this name is usually reserved for the closely related species Abudefduf saxatilis. The closely related Abudefduf caudobimaculatus was formerly considered to be synonymous with this species and, according to some authorities, is synonymous.[4][5]
Abudefduf vaigiensis are white bluish with a yellow top. They have a black spot around their dorsal fin. It has yellow eyes. The dorsal fin on this fish has 13 dorsal spines and 11 to 14 dorsal soft rays.[6] The anal fin on the Indo-Pacific sergeant has 2 anal spines and 11 to 13 anal soft rays.[6] Its maximum recorded size is 20 centimetres (7.9 in).[6] Juveniles mature at 12 centimetres (4.7 in).[6] Males turn more blue during spawning.[6] Many people confuse this fish for Abudefduf saxatilis, a closely related species found in the Atlantic Ocean.[6]
Adults live in coral reefs, tide pools, and rocky reefs.[6] Larva of this species live in the open sea.[6] It is found in tropical and subtropical waters. Depth ranges of 1 to 15 metres (3.3 to 49.2 ft) are where people encounter this fish.[6]
Males turn more bluish during spawning.[6] They build nests on rocks or coral ledges.[6] Then, females lay their eggs in the nests and the male fertilizes them.[10] Males guard and aerate the eggs until they hatch.[10]
Coleman, Richard R.; Gaither, Michelle R.; Kimokeo, Bethany (November 2014). "Large-scale introduction of the Indo-Pacific damselfish Abudefduf vaigiensis into Hawai'i promotes genetic swamping of the endemic congener A. abdominalis". Molecular Ecology. 23 (22): 5552–5565. doi:10.1111/mec.12952. PMID25283736.
Maruska, Karen; Peyton, Kimberly (April 2007). "Interspecific Spawning between a Recent Immigrant and an Endemic Damselfish (Pisces: Pomacentridae) in the Hawaiian Islands". Pacific Science. 61 (2): 211–221. doi:10.2984/1534-6188(2007)61[211:isbari]2.0.co;2. hdl:10125/22609.
