Hong Kong, CH - A researcher from the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium got a surprise when buying fish from a local market, finding three fish from a previously unclassified species. After getting confirmation from foreign researchers, it was confirmed that the fish were indeed a new branch of the sandperch family, leaving other researchers astonished at the discovery.
When Ho Hsuan-ching took up his position at the institute in September he was unfamiliar with the Hengchun Peninsula, so he went to Hengchun Market to learn more about the local lifestyle and products. It was there that he happened to pass a stand selling fish, a field in which he takes a personal and professional interest. But when he scooped out a few fish to take home, he had no inkling of the discovery he was about to make.
An excited Ho said that his discovery was completely unintentional. The parapercis shaoi, which is commonly spotted in the waters around the Hengchun Peninsula, shares its name — Shao — with that of Ho's teacher, and he is very familiar with this type of fish. Ho assumed that the fish at the fish stand were also parapercis shaoi as they are commonly caught off Erluanbi, but the more he looked at the fish, the more he became aware of the differences. When he took them back to his lab for a closer inspection he realized they were a completely different kind of fish.
Although the species are similar in shape and color, the new species of perch has different kinds of spots on the body and black spots on the tail. Ho said he emailed his findings to an aquatic expert in Hawaii who confirmed that the fish were indeed a newly identified species.
Ho said he had never thought of visiting a market in the past, but he managed to find a new species by doing so. He added that this is an experience he will not forget as long as he lives. He also urged the government to protect marine resources, because there are lots of undiscovered treasures hidden beneath the sea.
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