California State Marine Fish

• Garibaldi (Hypsypops rubicundus) (Gov. sec. 425.6)
• Designated in 1995 (Gov. sec. 425.6)

Description

A golden orange fish approximately 14 inches in length, the Garibaldi is most common in the shallow waters off the Southern California coast. Juvenile Garibaldi fish are typically less than 34cm in length and are reddish orange-yellow with bright blue spots. Occasionally, these iridescent blue spots and blotches can cover the body of the entire juvenile. Juveniles are typically mature adults by the time they have grown to be approximately 8 inches or are about five to six years old. (Sikkel, 1997)

Adult Garibaldi fish can grow to be nearly 17 inches long, however, few are larger than 12 inches. The longevity of a Garibaldi fish is, on average, between 13 and 18 years. Adult Garibaldi fish display a bright, golden orange color. This bright orange color is distinctive from all other fish in this area off the coast of California. This flashy color is thought to be a type of warning to other males indicating that the Garibaldi fish are fiercely territorial.

Both male and female Garibaldi fish are similar in appearance. The body of the Garibaldi fish is covered with large orange scales and displays a "deeply forked tailfin with rounded dorsal and ventral lobes of tips." The dorsal fin is comprised of "11-15 spines, 12-15 rays, and extends from above the insertion of the pectoral fin to the posterior of the base of the anal fin." (Bushing, 1995 and Sikkel, 1997)

When disturbed these fish emit a thumping sound which can be heard by divers. Although the garibaldi is not an endangered species, there is concern that commercial collection by the saltwater aquarium industry has reduced its numbers.