46 
PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. XVIII, January 1964 
Fig. 7. A very young Hypsypops rubicunda, showing the striped head pattern. 
reach maturity the last of the bright blue mark- 
ings, those on the edges of their fins, disappear. 
Studies of aquarium-grown fish and of size 
groups in nature indicate that they mature at 
about 3 years. 
Food 
Garibaldis probably prefer the bryozoan Mem- 
branipora serrilamella to all other organisms; 
most of the stomachs examined contained this 
species. Some fishery workers feel that in the 
course of feeding on algae they incidentally take 
in bryozoan material. Further study is needed to 
clarify this situation. Other material in their 
stomachs besides bryozoans and algae included 
sea anemones, worms, small crabs, amphipods, 
gooseneck barnacles, clams, snail eggs, and their 
own eggs. 
Competitors and Predators 
Spearfishermen represent a potential predator 
of considerable importance, but garibaldis are 
now protected by law from this danger. No 
other predator or competitor has been observed. 
Parasites and Cleaning Symbiosis 
External parasitic organisms such as bacteria, 
fungi, copepods, and isopods are removed from 
garibaldis by senoritas, Oxyjulis calif ornica, and 
kelp perch, Brachyistius frenatus. This peculiar 
habit, which is shared by fishes in many other 
families in different oceans, has modified the 
behavior of the parasitized species so that they 
will seek out cleaner fishes to remove particular 
parasites. A garibaldi will often hold its opercu- 
lum open so that a senorita can remove gill 
parasites. In addition to these two fishes the red 
and white shrimp, Hippolysmata californica, 
has been observed removing parasites from gari- 
baldis (Limbaugh, 1955; 1961 a, b) . 
Garibaldis’ Future 
These fish are quite common, although they 
are less abundant than before spearfishing 
started. They are now partially protected by law, 
and wisely so, because they are very easy to 
spear or capture and might stand a real danger 
of extermination. Although they are still taken 
in quantity for aquarium use, especially the 
