Filling in the gaps

The discovery and description of a new species are good news for Qiu's primary aquatic ecology research.

"To be honest, the discovery of these new species wasn't intentional. On the contrary, they revealed themselves while I was attempting to fill in the gaps in my understanding of the ecosystem in my studies," he said.

Qiu, born in Shaoguan, an inland city in Guangdong province, seldom had the opportunity to encounter the sea in childhood.

In 1998, during a visit to the Gold Coast in Australia for a conference, Qiu, who was then in his 30s, tried snorkeling for the first time.

"It was fabulous," he said.

He witnessed the enchanting spectacle of coral reefs and schools of fish, which sparked his interest in diving. After returning to Hong Kong, he pursued his newfound fascination and learned to dive.

Qiu vividly recounts his most unforgettable diving experience, which occurred after he watched a documentary about a forest of sea anemones off Tsim Chau island.