Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Two Little Fishies 

Hypsypops

Hypsypops rubicundus

Girard, 1854

Garabaldi Damselfish

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean: Monterey Bay, California to the West Coast of Baja California, Mexico and Guadalupe Island.

Size: 14 inches (35 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits inshore rocky reefs and Kelp forests at depths between 3 - 100 feet (1 - 30 m) and feeds on benthic invertebrates and algae.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade, very hardy and only member in this genus. Juveniles have a bright orange body with blue spots, with those spots fading as it grows into adulthood.

Somewhat aggressive and this large species needs a very large aquarium with wide open swimming areas and cool water temperatures.

As to diet, a meaty diet, e.g., live fortified brine shrimp and/or finely chopped various frozen or fresh meaty foods such as mysis, squid, fish flesh, shrimp, clam and plant material, e.g., flake foods, especially those containing Spirulina should be offered several times daily.

Taxonomy:

    Order: Perciformes

    Suborder: Labroidei

    Family: Pomacentridae

    Subfamily: Pomacentrinae

    Genus: Hypsypops

FYI: Collection of this species in California waters is illegal.

Has been reared in captivity.

Experience Level: Professional

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Diet: Omnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Semi-aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 500 gallons

Temperature Range: 57 - 70°F (13 – 21°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5

 Hypsypops rubicundus (Garabaldi Damselfish)
Photo © Bob Fenner
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