27 species found at Fairyland Gutter, Gneering Shoals, Sunshine Coast.
Terry and David on this excursion consisting of 1 x 83 minute & 1 x 71 minute dives in water depths of 14m to 19m.
5m viz, 23C water temp, and some light surge on the shallower plateau.
Our fears of a stronger surge based on the swell rolling through were unfounded. Whilst the aeolids were unfortunately in short supply there were ample phyllidiids to fill our viewfinders. Highlights included the beautiful Ardeadoris rubroannulata, Okenia hallucigenia and the uncommon Phyllidiopsis burni.
Number of each species sighted: 1st dive/2nd dive
* Species with highest specimen count
Ardeadoris rubroannulata -/2
Bornella anguilla -/1
Cadlinella ornatissima 1/1
Chelidonura inornata -/2
Chromodoris elisabethina 4/1
Chromodoris splendida 1/2
Dermatobranchus cf. primus 1/1
Doriprismatica atromarginata 6/3
Flabellina rubrolineata 1/-
Glossodoris vespa -/3
Hexabranchus sanguineus -/1
Hypselodoris aff. maculosa 1/-
Hypselodoris jacksoni 3/-
Hypselodoris obscura 3/1
Jorunna sp. 3 1/-
Okenia hallucigenia 1/-
Phyllidia elegans -/1
Phyllidia ocellata 1/-
Phyllidia picta -/1
Phyllidia varicosa 2/1
Phyllidiella lizae 3/3
*Phyllidiella pustulosa 6/6
Phyllidiopsis burni -/1
Roboastra luteolineata 1/1
Tambja tenuilineata -/1
Thuridilla splendens 2/1
Tylodina corticalis 2/-
Surface conditions
Cadlinella ornatissima
Hypselodoris obscura
Okenia hallucigenia
Chromodoris elisabethina
Phyllidiella pustulosa
Hypselodoris jacksoni with colour pattern variation
Phyllidia ocellata
Doriprismatica atromarginata
Ardeadoris rubroannulata
Hexabranchus sanguineus
Phyllidiopsis burni
Bornella anguilla
Phyllidia picta
Phyllidia varicosa
Glossodoris vespa
Substrate - 5m viz
Surface conditions on the surface
Jorunna sp. 3
Flabellina rubrolineata
Tylodina corticalis
Hypselodoris aff. maculosa
Going low & slow
Chromodoris splendida
Dermatobranchus cf. primus
Tambja tenuilineata
Roboastra luteolineata
Chelidonura inornata
Hypselodoris jacksoni exhibiting
typical colour pattern
Phyllidia elegans - the yellow rhinophores
were retracted just as the photo was taken.
The empty pockets can be seen at the anterior
(left end in photo).
