Hong Kong Corals & the Associated Marine Life

It is a common species, which is found primarily in sandy areas close to reefs. It is a new record for Hong Kong.

The light tan body is semi-transparent. This species is common over sands, rubbles and corals in shallow coral areas. It is new in Hong Kong record.

At least 8 species of shrimp goby occur in Hong Kong waters. These gobies inhabit burrows dug by alpheid shrimps. The goby spends most of its time guarding the entrance of the burrow as the shrimp is nearly blind. When danger approaches, the goby flicks the antennae of the shrimp with its tail and both dart into the burrow. The goby feeds on small invertebrates disturbed by the shrimp digging. The Spotted Shrimp Goby grows to 8 cm length.

As in the photo, this goby has two colour phases: one mostly yellow with blue spots on the upper head region; while the other is grey-brown with similar blue spots. It is common in sandy areas around coral colonies.

Species of Bryaninops reside exclusively on, or close to, gorgonians, black corals and certain Acropora corals. This species is only known in Hong Kong from the unidentified gorgonian on which it is photographed. Seven species of Bryaninops gobies are known from the South China Sea but only this one is known from local waters.