One reason the garibaldi is protected in California is its popularity as a salt water aquarium fish, for which a law was passed to make it illegal to remove them from their habitat. ... Being fiercely territorial, it is not uncommon for the garibaldi to chase away divers from its nesting area.

Are garibaldi fish endangered?

Although the garibaldi is not an endangered species, there is concern that commercial collection by the saltwater aquarium industry has reduced its numbers.

Is the garibaldi fish protected?

The Garibaldi is the California State fish and is protected from fishing. These fish mainly live in the kelp forest ecosystem. This species of damselfish inhabits the warmer waters of the Pacific Ocean from Monterey Bay, California to Baja California along rocky coastal reefs and among kelp forests.