Blackspot sergeant (Abudefduf sordidus)
Source-cited species reference: taxonomy from WoRMS, biology from FishBase, occurrence map from GBIF, conservation from IUCN Red List.
Blackspot sergeant (Abudefduf sordidus) is a marine species in the family Pomacentridae (Chordata › Teleostei › Ovalentaria incertae sedis), recorded in the World Register of Marine Species as Abudefduf sordidus (Forsskål, 1775) under AphiaID 212888.
- Scientific name
- Abudefduf sordidus
- Authority
- (Forsskål, 1775)
- Family
- Pomacentridae
- Order
- Ovalentaria incertae sedis
- Maximum length
- 24 cm
- Depth range
- 0–3 m
- Habitat zone
- reef-associated
- Iucn red list
- Least Concern
- Gbif occurrence records
- 5,440
Classification (WoRMS)
Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Ovalentaria incertae sedis · Family: Pomacentridae · Genus: Abudefduf.
Accepted name: Abudefduf sordidus · Authority: (Forsskål, 1775) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 212888.
Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Abudefduf tridentatus Clark, 1938; Chaetodon sordidus Forsskål, 1775; Glyphidodon adenensis Günther, 1867; Glyphidodon leucopleura Day, 1877; Glyphisodon geant Liénard, 1829; Glyphisodon géant Liénard, 1829; Glyphisodon gigas Allen, 1991; Glyphisodon sordidus.
Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=212888 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Biology and life history (FishBase)
Measured values published by FishBase for Abudefduf sordidus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.
Maximum length: 24 cm · Depth range: 0–3 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 14 of 100 · Fishery importance: minor commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.
FishBase notes: Inhabit rocky lagoons, reef flat shorelines and piers subject to mild surge; juveniles are common in tide pools (Ref. 9710). Benthopelagic (Ref. 58302). Occasionally form schools. Feed on algae, crustaceans and other invertebrates during the day. Oviparous, distinct pairing during breeding (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate (Ref. 205). Males guard and aerate the eggs (Ref. 205). Highly territorial (Ref. 9710). Utilized as a food fish by the Hawaiians (Ref. 7364).
Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 5689) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Abudefduf-sordidus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)
5,440 georeferenced occurrence records for Abudefduf sordidus are published through GBIF from 67 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 244 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 62 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.
Most records by country or area: United States of America (1,878); Australia (676); South Africa (398); Japan (348); French Polynesia (342).
The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.
Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2398682) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2398682&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=212888 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Conservation status (IUCN Red List)
The IUCN Red List assesses Abudefduf sordidus (Forsskål, 1775) as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.
Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 188467) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/188467/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2398682) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2398682/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Blackspot sergeant (Abudefduf sordidus)?
It is a small marine damselfish in the family Pomacentridae, originally described by Forsskål in 1775. The species carries the identifier AphiaID 212888 in the World Register of Marine Species.
How large does the Blackspot sergeant (Abudefduf sordidus) grow?
Adults top out at roughly 24 cm in total length, which is a fairly typical size for a member of the Pomacentridae family.
Where in the water column does the Blackspot sergeant (Abudefduf sordidus) occur?
This species is confined to very shallow coastal waters, generally between the surface and about 3 metres depth.
How is the Blackspot sergeant (Abudefduf sordidus) placed in the taxonomic tree?
It belongs to the family Pomacentridae within the order Ovalentaria incertae sedis, tracing its lineage from Teleostei up through Chordata. The binomial authority is credited as Forsskål, 1775.
Why do reef-fish enthusiasts keep the Blackspot sergeant (Abudefduf sordidus) on their radar?
As a well-anchored example of the damselfish family with a stable WoRMS and FishBase record, it is a handy reference point for anyone exploring shallow-water Pomacentridae diversity. Its narrow 0–3 m depth niche also makes it a useful subject when discussing surface-zone reef ecology.
Related in Blackspot sergeant
Links follow this subject's own source article.
Elsewhere in Blackspot sergeant
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced