Garibaldi damsel (Hypsypops rubicunda) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Garibaldi, Catalina goldfish, Marine goldfish, Garibaldi damselfish, Hypsypops rubicundus
Family
Pomacentridae (damselfishes)
Origin
Subtropical north-east Pacific from Monterey Bay, California, to Guadalupe Island, Baja California; rocky reefs to 30 m.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
30 cm
Temperature
16–22°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
500 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
aggressive
Reef safe
yes
Lifespan
About 12 (to 57) years

Care

Tank: a large, cool-water fish-only aquarium with rockwork. Tank: an estimated minimum of about 500 litres (our estimate from the adult size and habits, not a figure from the sources), because of its size and strong territoriality. It needs a chiller; it is not a tropical reef fish. Water: the sources give no aquarium figures, so the values here are general temperate marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 16–22 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and specific gravity 1.023–1.026. Behaviour: adults hold territories of about 3–10 m² all year and are strongly territorial, especially males when breeding. Juveniles are usually not territorial in the wild but become aggressive towards each other when confined in an aquarium. Cleaner fish and shrimps groom it. Identification: adults are bright orange; juveniles are orange-red with blue spots. The largest damselfish: the list gives up to 30 cm and the article up to 35.6 cm, males averaging about 2.5 cm longer than females. Law and status: California's official marine state fish since 1995, and protected from recreational and commercial fishing in California coastal waters, so legal origin matters. IUCN: Least Concern. Not CITES-listed. Selling: our policies require the adult size and long-term tank needs to be stated clearly in the listing. Large fish must travel by a specialist live-animal courier (see the Livestock shipping guide). Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypsypopsrubicundus). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A generalist omnivore: mainly invertebrates and algae, especially fleshy red algae, polychaete worms, anemones and sponge fragments; it sometimes eats its own eggs. Offer meaty frozen foods, pellets and algae-based foods.

Breeding

Breeds from about March to July. The male guards a nest with the eggs, which hatch after 19–21 days. Fish mature at about six years. Average lifespan is around 12 years, and one individual was aged at 57 years in a 2022 study.

Compatibility and tank mates

The list says reef safe, but it needs cool water and so does not suit tropical reef tanks. It eats invertebrates such as worms and anemones. Very territorial: keep one per tank with robust temperate fish.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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