This giant kelpfish was particularly friendly and patient as I photographed it off San Clemente Island.

Each yellow dot is a lottery ticket. A female Garibaldi laid these eggs a week or so ago, on a mat of red algae meticulously prepared by a male. The male then fertilized the eggs, and now guards them.

If a male Garibaldi works hard enough, his algae patch will impress females enough that they will pause to lay their eggs there.

The flamboyant cuttlefish travels across the bottom sand, dining on the small creatures that live there.

Ornate Ghost Pipefish, Solenostomus paradoxus : Female with Egg Pouch Ornate Ghost Pipefish are amazing masters of camouflage. This pair...

This shrimp, and their partner, will care for the eggs until they hatch.