Scissortail Sergeant

The Scissortail Sergeant (Abudefduf sexfasciatus) is a common sight for divers and snorkellers exploring reefs in the Indo-Pacific region. These small, active fish add a splash of life to coral gardens and rocky outcrops from shallow waters down to about 20 meters. What makes them stand out is their striking pattern: a silvery-white body crossed by five or six bold black bars, and a distinctive forked tail that gives them their name. They're often seen in schools, darting around coral heads or hovering near the reef, constantly on the lookout for food. Keep an eye out for them around cleaning stations, where they may visit larger fish to pick off parasites. While not the most colourful or dramatic fish on the reef, Scissortail Sergeants are an integral part of the ecosystem. You'll most likely encounter them in aggregations around coral structures, especially where there's plenty of current. Their constant activity and abundance make them a reliable presence on many dive sites, particularly in the Indian Ocean, around the Great Barrier Reef, and in the South Pacific and Southern Australia. They're a great fish to observe for beginners, as they're easy to spot and relatively unafraid of divers.