Species-level fish assemblages around Hong Kong from underwater visual census and environmental DNA metabarcoding

This dataset contains spatiotemporal fish diversity data collected across an estuarine-urbanisation gradient around Hong Kong using both underwater visual census (UVC) and environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding. The data include species-level fish community compositions from 25 sampling locations, collected during both wet and dry seasons. The study aimed to overcome challenges posed by high turbidity and document the impacts of urbanisation on coastal fish diversity. The dataset captures different components of fish communities through both methods, with a total of 11 potentially novel species detected and notable seasonal and regional variations in fish diversity.