All fish / Pomacentridae

Garibaldi Damselfish

Hypsypops rubicundus

Also known as garibaldi, garibaldi damsel, yes, california garibaldi, marine goldfish, hypsypops rubicunda, ガリバルディ, 加州金鱼, 高身雀鲷

Adults are a bright, even orange, and young fish are red-orange with electric blue spots. It is a large, hardy damselfish from cool temperate reefs and kelp forests. Public aquariums and keepers with chilled systems keep it for its colour and bold character.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

25 cm

Temperature

12 to 21 °C

pH

8 to 8.4

Smallest tank

500 litres

Keep as

Keep singly

Diet

Omnivore: mysis, krill, chopped seafood, sponge-based and algae foods

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

10 to 17 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Eastern Pacific: southern California to Baja California, Mexico

Breeding

Males clear a nest of red algae on rock and guard eggs laid by one or more females. It has spawned in large public aquaria, but home breeding is rare because of its size, its need for cold water and its aggression.

Good to know

It needs a chilled coldwater tank and is fiercely territorial as it grows. In California it is the state marine fish and is protected from commercial collection, so sellers must source it legally.