Julie, Terry and David on this excursion consisting of 1 x 68 minute and 1 x 57 minute dives in water depths of 17m to 21m. 8m viz, 19C water temp, constant surge.
The trip up from Mooloolaba through the swell portended what we could expect by way of surge as although it was not large it had a short period and was punchy. We decided to find a site on the Arkwright Shoals that would provide a balance between extra depth to mitigate the surge yet not too deep to significantly compromise our bottom time. We found a site close to Terry's Delight which we have named Sibogae Ridge after the half dozen Trinchesia sibogae feasting on hydroids on the lip of the ridge. The surge made everyone uncomfortable. Its power was out of all proportion to the size of the swell. The blue-tipped Tritonopsis alba is an interesting find that has stimulated some controversy- lively discussion.
Number of each species sighted: 1st dive/2nd dive
* Species with highest specimen count
Ardeadoris aff. averni -/1
Chromodoris striatella 1/1
Dermatobranchus cf. primus 1/-
Doriprismatica atromarginata -/1
Flabellina exoptata 1/-
* Flabellina rubrolineata 6/7
Glossodoris vespa 1/-
Goniobranchus splendidus 1/2
Goniodoridella savignyi 2/-
Hypselodoris jacksoni -/1
Hypselodoris obscura -/2
Phyllidia ocellata 3/2
Phyllidiella pustulosa 1/1
Phyllodesmium magnum 1/-
Pteraeolidia semperi 5/3
Sagaminopteron ornatum 2/1
Thuridilla splendens 1/-
Trinchesia sibogae 5/2
Tritoniopsis alba 1/-
Goniodoridella savignyi
Goniodoridella savignyi
Phyllodesmium magnum
Hypselodoris jacksoni
Goniobranchus splendidus
Phyllidia ocellata
Doriprismatica atromarginata
Substrate
Visual representation of how
the surge made Julie feel
Surface conditions - Looking back
at Point Arkwright
Still smiling despite the surge
Thuridilla splendens
Chromodoris striatella
Sagaminopteron ornatum
Flabellina exoptata
Pteraeolidia semperi - 3 distinctive bands
on the oral tentacles
Ardeadoris aff. averni
Flabellina rubrolineata
Trinchesia sibogae
Tritoniopsis alba ?? Blue-tipped
In the Lab.
