These lovely fish can be seen as you snorkel or dive in the waters around Hong Kong.
Silver sweetlip Diagramma pictum, juvenile.
This species, as other sweetlip species, changes colour and shape when they become adults. In some areas sweetlips are known as "Grunts" because they "grunt", the grunting sound is produced by their flat teeth plates rubbing together then amplified by their air bladders.
Red toothed Triggerfish Odonus niger and Squirrelfish Sargocentron spp.
Triggerfish get their name from the first two dorsal spines that they erect in case of danger. The first anterior spine is locked in place by erection of the short second “trigger” spine , and can be unlocked only by depressing it. Odonus niger gets its name from its red tooth !
Moon wrasse Thalassoma lunare.
Very colorful fish with a black blotch on the caudal fin base that turns into a yellow crescent when it matures. As many other fish it is hermaphrodite, all starting off as females and changing to males, a process which that takes only 10 days!
Many, many thanks to Maxine and Sarah of the The Marine Science Center, where i took these photos. The Marine Science Center is an aquarium and laboratory facility, centre of excellence of the Harbour school, on Ap lei Chau Island. The centre is focused on education and outreach program, it is equipped with up-to-date touch tank and aquaria and it hosts a great variety of colourful marine organisms! The MSC brings marine science curriculum into the school and provides a meaningful learning experience for students and the community.
During the school year the Centre is open to visitors every month on specific dates. The staff, composed of two marine biologists, will introduce you Hong Kong marine life and its amazing biodiversity.