Giant Kelpfish

A yellow Giant Kelpfish (Heterostichus rostratus) hovers above a bed of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) off San Clemente Island.

This giant kelpfish was particularly friendly and patient as I photographed it off San Clemente Island. As I later learned, this sort of behavior is typical of a giant kelpfish guarding a nest, perhaps like a bird trying to divert predators from its nest. Or, like the agressive behavior of a Garibaldi guarding his eggs. Also somewhat like Garibaldi, giant kelpfish males construct nests, wait for a female to lay eggs there, and then fertilize them. Giant kelpfish will actually chase the female off, once the eggs are laid. I made this photo in 2001 with a Nikon F5 camera, using Kodak E100VS film and a 20mm lens, from the dive boat Vision. San Clemente Islands is known for relatively warm water and excellent visibility. It's also a Navy base, with lots of ships and training activities. Don't pick up any unusual-looking clams!