Blackspot sergeant (Abudefduf sordidus)

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Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Abudefduf tridentatus Clark, 1938; Chaetodon sordidus Forsskål, 1775; Glyphidodon adenensis Günther, 1867; Glyphidodon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 2026-09-25.

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 2026-09-25.

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 2026-09-25.

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 2026-09-25.