19 species found during two shore dives from Kings Beach Boat Ramp, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast.
Terry, Julie and David on this excursion consisting of 1 x 92min dive to the SE and 1 x 100min dive to the SW.
Max. depth 3.8m, 5m viz, 24C water temp and a little surge but no suspended weed this time.
Undeterred by last Sunday's conditions we walked straight back in soon after sunrise last Friday and were not disappointed this time. Highlights included finding here on the Sunshine Coast for the 1st time Elysia bangtawaensis (New Species). Also a vivid red Gymnodoris aff. citrina (uncommon), Phyllodesmium crypticum, Bornella hermanni (New Species) amongst the weed and two Hydatina physis (rose petal bubble shell) hunting in the dawn shallows. A lone Aplysia argus was found rolling around in the shallow surge. Overall a couple of very cruisy and relaxed dives.
Number of each species sighted: 1st dive/2nd dive
* Species with highest specimen count
Aplysia argus -/1
Ardeadoris aff. averni 1/-
Bornella hermanni -/1 (New Species)
*Doriprismatica atromarginata 4/6
Dermatobranchus rodmani -/1
Dermatobranchus cf. primus -/1
Elysia bangtawaensis -/1 (New Species)
Gymnodoris bicolor 1/1
Gymnodoris aff. citrina -/1
Goniobranchus daphne -/2
Hypselodoris maritima 2/2
*Hypselodoris obscura 8/2
Hydatina physis 2/-
Mexichromis festiva 5/1
Mexichromis trilineata 1/-
Phyllodesmium crypticum 1/-
Phyllodesmium sp. 2 1/-
Tritoniopsis alba 4/1
Tylodina corticalis 1/-
The substrate
Doriprismatica atromarginata
Gymnodoris bicolor
Mexichromis festiva
Mexichromis trilineata
Hypselodoris maritima
Hydatina physis
Ardeadoris aff. averni
Gymnodoris aff. citrina - in situ
Gymnodoris aff. citrina
Gymnodoris aff. citrina
More substrate
Crawling around in the gloom
Phyllodesmium sp. 2
Many egg coils sighted - tethered to the substrate
Hypselodoris obscura
Mexichromis festiva
Hydatina physis - head shot
Hypselodoris maritima
Phyllodesmium crypticum - in situ
Phyllodesmium crypticum
Phyllodesmium crypticum
Phyllodesmium crypticum
Phyllodesmium crypticum
Phyllodesmium crypticum - c/up of cerata
Bornella hermanni
Bornella hermanni - c/up of rhinophore and cup
Bornella hermanni
Elysia bangtawaensis - in situ, ploughing
through the algal mat
Elysia bangtawaensis
Aplysia argus - stabilization intervention failed - it no stick
