California / Baja California photos

Ocean sunfish recruiting fish near drift kelp to clean parasites, open ocean, Baja California.
Species: Ocean sunfish, Mola mola
Image ID: 03267  

The bright orange garibaldi fish, California's state marine fish, is also clownlike in appearance.
Species: Garibaldi, Hypsypops rubicundus
Location: California
Image ID: 02416  

Giant black sea bass, endangered species, reaching up to 8' in length and 500 lbs, amid giant kelp forest.
Species: Giant black sea bass, Stereolepis gigas
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 33354  

Ocean sunfish schooling near drift kelp, soliciting cleaner fishes, open ocean, Baja California.
Species: Ocean sunfish, Mola mola
Image ID: 06304  

A SCUBA diver swimming over a rocky reef covered with kelp, watches a brightly colored orange garibaldi fish.
Species: Garibaldi, Hypsypops rubicundus
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 01113  

Enormous Ocean sunfish and freediving photographer, open ocean.
Species: Ocean sunfish, Mola mola
Location: San Diego, California
Image ID: 03491  

Ocean sunfish schooling, open ocean near San Diego.
Species: Ocean sunfish, Mola mola
Location: San Diego, California
Image ID: 03562  

Juvenile garibaldi, vibrant spots distinguish it from pure orange adult form.
Species: Garibaldi, Hypsypops rubicundus
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 40527  

Three giant black sea bass, gathering in a mating/courtship aggregation amid kelp forest at Catalina Island. In summer months, black seabass gather in kelp forests in California to form mating aggregations. Courtship behaviors include circling of pairs of giant sea bass, production of booming sounds by presumed males, and nudging of females by males in what is though to be an effort to encourage spawning.
Species: Giant black sea bass, Stereolepis gigas
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 33355  

Giant Black Sea Bass with Unique Pattern of Black Spots at Catalina Island. The giant sea bass is an endangered species reaching up to 8' in length and 500 lbs, amid giant kelp forest.
Species: Giant black sea bass, Stereolepis gigas
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 33356  

Ocean sunfish and freediving photographer, open ocean.
Species: Ocean sunfish, Mola mola
Location: San Diego, California
Image ID: 03325  

Ocean sunfish reflected on a glassy surface in bluewater, open ocean, southern California.
Species: Ocean sunfish, Mola mola
Location: San Diego, California
Image ID: 02413  

Salema schooling amid kelp forest.
Species: Salema, Macrocystis pyrifera, Xenistius californiensis
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 01022  

Juvenile garibaldi in motion.
Species: Garibaldi, Hypsypops rubicundus
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 02343  

Ocean sunfish and photographer, open ocean.
Species: Ocean sunfish, Mola mola
Location: San Diego, California
Image ID: 03324  

Blue-banded goby in the Midriff Islands, Sea of Cortez, Mexico.
Species: Bluebanded goby, Lythrypnus dalli
Location: Isla Angel de la Guarda, Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 40364  

The bright orange garibaldi fish, California's state marine fish.
Species: Garibaldi, Hypsypops rubicundus
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 40512  

The bright orange garibaldi fish, California's state marine fish.
Species: Garibaldi, Hypsypops rubicundus
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 40513  

Two giant black sea bass swim in a courtship circle, part of a larger gathering of a mating aggregation amid kelp forest, Catalina Island. In summer months, black seabass gather in kelp forests in California to form mating aggregations. Courtship behaviors include circling of pairs of giant sea bass, production of booming sounds by presumed males, and nudging of females by males in what is though to be an effort to encourage spawning.
Species: Giant black sea bass, Stereolepis gigas
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 33357  

An Endangered Giant Sea Bass can reach up to 8 feet in length and 500 pounds, seen here amid the giant kelp forest of Catalina Island.
Species: Giant black sea bass, Stereolepis gigas
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 33358  

Giant black sea bass, gathering in a mating - courtship aggregation amid kelp forest, Catalina Island.
Species: Giant black sea bass, Stereolepis gigas
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 33359  

Two Giant black sea bass hover in the kelp forest as a courting pair, part of a larger mating aggregation at Catalina Island. In summer months, giant black seabass gather in kelp forests in California to form mating aggregations leading to spawning. Courtship behaviors include circling of pairs of giant sea bass, production of booming sounds by presumed males, and nudging of females by males in what is though to be an effort to encourage spawning.
Species: Giant black sea bass, Stereolepis gigas
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 33360  

Five giant black sea bass in a mating and courtship aggregation in the kelp forest at Catalina Island. In summer months, black seabass gather in kelp forests in California to form mating aggregations leading to spawning. Courtship behaviors include circling of pairs of giant sea bass, production of booming sounds by presumed males, and nudging of females by males in what is though to be an effort to encourage spawning.
Species: Giant black sea bass, Stereolepis gigas
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 33361  

Two Giant sea bass comprise a courting pair as part of a larger mating aggregation amid the kelp forest at Catalina Island. In summer months, giant seabass gather in kelp forests in California to form mating aggregations leading to spawning. Courtship behaviors include circling of pairs of giant sea bass, production of booming sounds by presumed males, and nudging of females by males in what is though to be an effort to encourage spawning.
Species: Giant black sea bass, Stereolepis gigas
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 33362  

A giant black sea bass is an endangered species that can reach up to 8 feet in length and 500 pounds, often found amid the giant kelp forest, Once nearly fished to extinction and now thought to be at risk of a genetic bottleneck, the giant sea bass is slowly recovering and can be seen in summer months in California's kelp forests.
Species: Giant black sea bass, Stereolepis gigas
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 33363  

A male giant sea bass nudges a female giant sea bass to encourage spawning as they swim in a tight circle. This courting pair of giant sea bass is deep in the kelp forest at Catalina Island. In summer months, giant sea bass gather in kelp forests in California to form courtship and mating aggregations, eventually leading to spawning.
Species: Giant black sea bass, Stereolepis gigas
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 33364  

Giant black sea bass, endangered species, reaching up to 8' in length and 500 lbs, amid giant kelp forest.
Species: Giant black sea bass, Stereolepis gigas
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 33378  

Giant black sea bass, gathering in a mating - courtship aggregation amid kelp forest, Catalina Island.
Species: Giant black sea bass, Stereolepis gigas
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 33379  

Ocean sunfish schooling near drift kelp, soliciting cleaner fishes, open ocean, Baja California.
Species: Ocean sunfish, Mola mola
Image ID: 06308  

Ocean sunfish schooling near drift kelp, soliciting cleaner fishes, open ocean, Baja California.
Species: Ocean sunfish, Mola mola
Image ID: 06311