Why is the garibaldi orange?

The garibaldi, a bright orange fish native to the waters off Southern California and Mexico, exhibits its vibrant color primarily for two reasons: camouflage and mating. The bold orange hue helps it blend into the sunlit kelp forests, making it less visible to predators while also signaling health and vitality to potential mates. Additionally, the color intensity can vary with factors like age and environmental conditions, further influencing its visibility and reproductive success.