Meet the Garibaldi

This bright orange member of the damselfish family is the California state fish, and a really easy one to recognize. They range primarily from the Monterey coast down to Baja and are most commonly spotted among the channel islands. They get their name from the 19th century Italian general, whose members wore flashy orange and red colors into battle! And be careful if you encounter one while diving; males have been known to chase divers away if they encroach on their nests!

Have you seen a Garibaldi before? Tell us where!