Research project Catalina Island June 2011

1. Garibaldi got Punk'd
Amalia, Ana, Ro!r, Tony, Will

2. Abstract

3. Study Organism - Natural History
The Garibaldi or Garibaldi damselfish (Hypsypops rubicundus) is a brightly colored orange fish of
the damselfish family that is native to the North-Eastern subtropical parts of the Pacific Ocean,
ranging from Monterey Bay, California, to Guadalupe Island, Baja California. The common name is
a reference to the Italian military and political figure Giuseppe Garibaldi who wore a trademark
red shirt.
Characteristics Garibaldis grow up to 38 cm (15 in) in length. Juvenile Garibaldi are not as bright
in color, but have iridescent blue spots which they lose as they become adult. They live from very
shallow water to depths of up to 30 meters (100 ft), usually in association with reefs, and typically
over rocky sea-bottoms. They feed mainly on invertebrates that they remove from the rocks.
Territory Adult Garibaldis maintain a home territory. The male clears a sheltered nest site within
his territory, and the female then deposits eggs within the nest. The male subsequently guards the
nest until the eggs hatch after 19–21 days. During this time period, the male garibaldi aggressively
tries to keep all other fish away from the very edible eggs. Like all male damsel fish, the male
Garibaldi will boldly attack much larger swimming creatures, including humans, to the point of
biting divers in order to try to drive them away from the area where the eggs are deposited

4. Observation
Reaction to presence during initial snorkel

5. Question
How do male Garibaldi fish
react to objects that approach
their nest?

6. Hypothesis
If we approach a Garibaldi nest with
orange object, then the Garibaldi will
defend its nest, because it identifies the
color orange with other adult male
Garibaldis.

7. Prediction
We predict that the Garibaldi will not
react to non-orange or mixed-orange
objects.

8. Materials

9. Design
Tasks
Amalia:
written
recorde
r
Ana:
investig
ator

10. Procedures
Identify variables

11. Data Table - Location 1
Color
Response
No response 0 0 1
Minimal response 3 1 0
Attack 2 4* 4*

12. Data Table - Location 2
Color
Response
No response 4 4 0
Minimal response 0 0 0
Attack 1 1 5

13. Data Table - Location 3
Color
Response
No response 5 2 0
Minimal response 0 2 2
Attack 0 1 3

14. Interpret Data

15. Interpret Data

16. Conclusion

17. Challenges

18. Next Steps

19. References