The juvenile garibaldi has little blue spots along their sides and is quite a bit smaller than the adult garibaldi. When a juvenile reaches 3 to 6 years old and is about eight inches long, the blue dots fade away. Once a juvenile garibaldi loses their blue spots, it is an indication that they are ready for reproduction.
As long as a juvenile has blue dots, other adult garibaldis will tolerate its presence within their territories. After this, it must claim and defend its own territory, and is not permitted in the territories of other adults.
In 2010, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium received the Edward H. Bean Award for Significant Achievement from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for its propagation program of garabaldi fish.
Juvenile garibaldi are usually found at the Aquarium in tank number 16.