Soft Coral Dendronephthya spp.

Once you dive deeper into Hong Kong’s water, you will find yourself submerged in a world of colorful, soft and tendering corals.  This species of soft corals, Dendronephthya spp., which can grow into glomerate, divaricate or umbrellate form belongs to the sub-Class Octocorallia. They are characterized by its eight pinnate tentacles and internal calcareous skeletal elements called sclerites and can often grow to sizes over 1m in diameter and height.  With the presence of red or yellow sclerites embedded in the tissues, their eye-catching colors have turned them into one of the favorites of underwater photographers.