scissortail sergeant
- Abudefduf coelestinus
Abudefduf coelestinus
- Abudefduf coelestinus
| Family | Pomacentridae |
|---|---|
| Genus | Abudefduf |
| IUCN category (World) | LC |
Introduction
Abudefduf sexfasciatus, also known as the scissortail sergeant, is a reef fish widely distributed throughout the Indo-Pacific, from the northern Red Sea to the Tuamotu Islands. Common and abundant in much of its range, it is considered of least concern, with a stable population.
Who is it?
Morphology
-
Average size15 cm
-
Maximum size18 cm
-
Longevity10 year
-
ShapeOvoid
-
Patternvertical stripes
-
Average size15 cm
-
Maximum size18 cm
-
Longevity10 year
-
ShapeOvoid
-
Patternvertical stripes
How to recognize This fish ?
This fish has a tall, compressed body, marked by five dark vertical bands contrasting with a silvery background. Its shape and coloration make it easily recognizable in shallow reefs. Adults reach an average length of 12 to 15 cm.
Sexual dimorphism
The species is a protogynous hermaphrodite: some female individuals can transform into males. The size of first maturity is around 10.5 cm for females and 12 cm for males, with a slightly skewed sex ratio in favor of females.
Behaviour & Life cycle
-
dietomnivorous with carnivorous tendency
-
Sociabilityliving in small groups
-
territorialYes
-
Way of livingdiurnal
It is a gregarious species that forms sometimes dense schools, often seen in open water above the reef. It feeds on zooplankton, algae, and small benthic invertebrates. Although associated with the reef, it often occupies the most light-exposed areas, such as reef crests or open lagoons.
Reproduction
-
Reproductionovipare qui pond sur substrat découvert
-
Hermaphroditeprotandric
Abudefduf sexfasciatus is an oviparous species that spawns in open water. Reproduction mainly occurs in spring and is characterized by synchronous spawning. The eggs are pelagic and drift with the marine currents until the larvae hatch.
Harmless species
This species is harmless to humans.
Origin and distribution
Geographic distribution & Conservation
The species is widespread in the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and the East African coast to the Tuamotu Islands, south to Rapa and Lord Howe, and north to the south of Japan. It is not found in Hawaii. It has also been recently reported in the Mediterranean, in Greece, likely individuals originating from aquariums.
Conservation status of populations (IUCN)
Where to see this species?
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
-
Temperature22 - 26 °C
-
Depth1 - 15 m
-
FlowStrong and Medium
Biotope presentation
Abudefduf sexfasciatus frequents coastal coral and rocky reefs between 1 and 15 m deep. It colonizes both reef flats and outer slopes and lagoons, often associated with areas rich in soft corals or hydroid colonies. Juveniles and adults are abundant in fringing and intermediate reefs, sometimes even in lagoon plains.
Main recommendations for fishkeeping
Deontology
In order to preserve wildlife, if you acquire this animal, it must not be released into the wild. See also, the Fishipedia charter.
Fishipedia supports the practice of responsible and environmentally friendly aquarium keeping. We encourage maintenance if it is motivated by a desire to understand the biological functioning of living things and if it is done with respect for animal life.
We believe that aquaristics is an opening to the discovery of aquatic environments, especially freshwater, and that this knowledge is necessary to better protect and respect these environments. Logically, we refute the compulsive purchase of animals that would not find a sufficient and / or adapted place in the host aquarium.
Our recommendations
-
Min volume600 liters
-
Population min2
-
Temperature22 - 26 °C
Characteristics
-
Difficulty breedingeasy
-
Robustnessrobust
-
Behaviourvery aggressive
-
Availabilityrare
General reminders
It is strongly advised to read the complete dedicated file and to get information on the feedbacks of maintenance of the envisaged animal, this to avoid any potential conflict whose end result is generally the death of the individual (or the other inhabitants). It is important not to overload your aquarium to limit pollution. This will make maintenance easier.
General reminder on maintenance datas
Le démarrage d'un aquarium est une partie primordiale pour l'équilibre et le bien-être des poissons. Lorsque l'on met en eau un aquarium, l'eau passe naturellement par un cycle biologique : le cycle de l'azote. Celui-ci dure environ trois semaines. Tous les 2 jours, nous vous conseillons de tester votre eau jusqu'à ce que le taux de nitrite soit à zéro pendant plusieurs jours d'affilée.
Pour accélérer ce cycle, vous pouvez utiliser un activateur de bactéries comme JBL Denitrol. Cette solution riche en bactéries vivantes et enzymes permet une mise en place rapide du cycle de l'azote. Les poissons peuvent alors être introduits plus rapidement.
Il est important de tester l'eau de son aquarium régulièrement pour maintenir un environnement sain pour les poissons et les autres habitants. Les tests d'eau permettent de mesurer les niveaux de différents paramètres tels que le pH, la dureté totale, ainsi que les taux de nitrates, de nitrites et d'ammoniaque.
Pour réaliser ces tests, vous pouvez utiliser des produits d'analyse spécialisés tels que JBL ProScan qui permet de réaliser un diagnostic de l'eau directement via un smartphone. Il existe également des coffrets de tests plus classiques de bandelettes, comme JBL PROAQUATEST.
En cas d’usage de l’eau du robinet, vous pouvez utiliser un conditionneur d’eau de type Biotopol de JBL pour éliminer les substances nocives comme le chlore, le cuivre, le plomb et le zinc. Une eau trop dure ou trop calcaire peut être inadaptée à de nombreuses espèces tropicales d’eau douce. Si nécessaire, vous pouvez la couper avec de l’eau osmosée ou de pluie filtrée afin d’obtenir une dureté plus adaptée aux besoins de vos poissons et de vos plantes. Les conditionneurs d'eau garantissent une meilleure santé aux poissons et une meilleure croissance des plantes.
Chlorine and chloramine are dangerous for the health of animals. Used to disinfect water, these agents are present in significant quantities in tap water. We recommend using an anti-chlorine agent every time you change the water. In addition to chlorine, treatments and medicines sold for aquarium use sometimes contain dangerous heavy metals in high doses.
Specific needs for the scissortail sergeant
The scissortail sergeant is a marine species which lives naturally at a temperature between 22 °C and 26 °C. Nitrate levels should remain below 50mg/L. To keep the water clean and unpolluted, plan on changing 20% to 30% of the water volume each month. In seawater, it is also possible to remove nitrates using one of the following methods: Jaubert, denitrator on sulfur, biopeletts, vodka method.
Breeding this species is accessible to any hobbyist. It is recommended to follow some basic rules and to be rigorous to achieve a good maintenance.
This species is very rare in the aquarium trade. Instead, it is maintained by knowledgeable aquarists who own and breed individuals from wild origin strains. If you want to get this species, we advise you to contact specialized clubs. }Specimens from long time breeding are a bit easier to breed but you have to respect the particular water parameters.
Cohabitation & Environment
Being a living in small groups fish, it is advisable to install at least 2 individuals in an aquarium of 600 liters minimum (for 150 cm of frontage). Group maintenance is a prerequisite to ensure their well-being. Lonely individuals tend to quickly become stressed and become especially susceptible to disease.
The scissortail sergeant has a very strong character. Few neighbors are able to stand up to it.
Its maintenance with other territorial species is very risky and has great chances to lead to drama. The choice of possible cohabitants must therefore be carefully considered and only in an appropriate context (large volume, refuges...).
The maintenance with conspecifics can also be complicated.
As previously said, The scissortail sergeant is a species that lives naturally in the current. Thus, we advise the installation of an oversized filtration system (10 to 20 times the volume of the tank) in order to guarantee a strong current and especially a strong oxygenation. A venturi system will improve the dissolved oxygen rate during summer.
Tips for feeding
The scissortail sergeant is omnivorous with carnivorous tendency.
This species can eat dry food (flakes, pellets), fresh food and frozen food. To avoid deficiencies, it is recommended to vary the types of food.
Feed animals in moderation to maintain good water quality. Meals should be eaten within 2–3 minutes, served in several small portions rather than a single large ration.
Uneaten food quickly decomposes, releasing ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates, which disturb the aquarium’s biological balance.
Make sure each species can access food properly, slower or bottom-dwelling individuals may require targeted feeding.Reproduction protocol
-
egg-laying protectionYes
Hybridization risks
In general, it is advised not to mix several species of the same genus or different varieties of the same species, to avoid the risks of hybridization.
These animals might interest you
To go further
Species of the same family
Espèces du même genre
To read on the web
Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Benoit Chartrer
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
Marine Kassel
Where to see this species?
Scientific partners
Tags
Species of the same family
Same genus
