This juvenile garibaldi was about one foot from my lens. They are a protected species and I honestly believe they know that. Garibaldi get in your way, and often ruin photographs as they swim lazily through the photographic area. You can punch and poke at them and they will turn around and simply stick their tongues out at you.
Juveniles have wild blue coloration when young and lose it as they get older.
They range in size to 14 inches and are found from northern California to Baja, Mexico California. They are reef residents and are commonly found around kelpbeds. Juveniles are orange with iridescent blue spots, and are shy. They live in large colonies and when the current is strong, they are fully plumed. Range from British Columbia to central California.