Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Species List: 28-05-2017, Clown Reef, Gneering Shoals, off Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Qld

29 species sighted at Clown Reef, Gneering Shoals, off Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Qld, 28-05-2017

Julie, Gary and David on this excursion consisting of 1 x 74 minute and 1 x 67 minute dives in water depths from 14 m to 20 m. Up to 20 m viz, 23 C water temp and negligible surge. Terry was handling surface logistics.

The visibility and coral growth at this site sure creates a contrast to the muck diving we undertook in Ambon, Indonesia last week. The lack of surge compared to last time we were here made the dive most relaxing and it is always a joy to arrive at the Gneerings when no current is running. Good finds included Halgerda aurantiomaculata, Tenellia sp. 36 and the large number of our logo species - Chromodoris elisabethina.

Number of each species sighted: 1st dive/2nd dive
* Species with highest specimen count

Ardeadoris rubroannulata 1/1
Ardeadoris sp. 2 1/-
Aegires citrinus 1/-
Cadlinella ornatissima 1/-
Caloria indica 1/-
Chromodoris burni 1/-
* Chromodoris elisabethina 9/6
Chromodoris kuiteri 2/2
Chromodoris lochi 1/-
Doriprismatica atromarginata 2/1
Glossodoris vespa -/1
Goniobranchus geometricus -/1
Goniobranchus kuniei 1/-
Halgerda aurantiomaculata 1/-
Hexabranchus sanguineus 1/-
Hypselodoris jacksoni -/2
Hypselodoris obscura -/1
Phyllidia elegans 1/1
Phyllidia picta 1/-
Phyllidia varicosa 1/-
Phyllidiella lizae 1/2
Phyllidiella pustulosa 5/4
Pleurolidia juliae 1/-
Tenellia sibogae 1/-
Tenellia sp. 33 1/3
Tenellia sp. 36 1/-
Thuridilla splendens 2/-
Tylodina corticalis -/2
Verconia simplex 1/-

Verconia simplex

Chromodoris kuiteri

Tenellia sibogae

Hexabranchus sanguineus

Goniobranchus geometricus

Tylodina corticalis

Lookin' up

Ardeadoris sp. 2

Goniobranchus kuniei 

Sublime surface conditions

Ardeadoris rubroannulata

Dive platform

Substrate

Hovering diver

Chromodoris elisabethina

Phyllidia elegans

Tenellia sp. 36

Chromodoris burni

Chromodoris lochi

Caloria indica

Pleurolidia juliae

Halgerda aurantiomaculata

Phyllidiella pustulosa
 




Friday, May 26, 2017

Species List: 27-05-2017, La Balsa Park, Mooloolah River, Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

9 species sighted at La Balsa Park, Mooloolah River, Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Qld, 27-05-2017

A single shore entry night dive by Gary and Elliot of 110 minutes. Maximum depth 6.1 m, 22 C water temperature and up to 3 m viz.

Early morning, before sun-up, getting ready. The usual species. Seems like Flabellina rubrolineata numbers have dropped. Surprise to find Flabellina angelvaldesi.  No night species to see.

Number of species sighted
* Species with highest specimen count

Cratena lineata -2
Flabellina angelvaldesi -2
Flabellina rubrolineata -5
Goniobranchus aureopurpureus -1
Goniodoridella sp. 1 -20
Gymnodoris sp. 10 -2
Hypselodoris obscura -5
Pteraeolidia semperi -20
Tenellia sp. 23 -2

Flabellina angelvaldesi

Cratena lineata

Tenellia sp. 23

Pteraeolidia semperi

Pteraeolidia semperi

Pteraeolidia semperi

Hypselodoris obscura

Goniobranchus aureopurpureus

Goniodoridella sp. 1

Pteraeolidia semperi

Goniodoridella sp. 1

Flabellina rubrolineata

Gymnodoris sp. 10

Gymnodoris sp. 10

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Species List: 17-05-2017, Shelly Beach intertidal platform, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

3 species sighted at Shelly Beach intertidal platform, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Qld, 23-05-2017

A beautiful day to go exploring in the intertidal zone and try getting up close and personal.

Number of species sighted
* Species with highest specimen count

Aplysia argus 5
* Haminoea sp. 1 +50
Elysia coodgeensis 12

Shelly Beach intertidal platform

Shelly Beach intertidal platform

Haminoea sp. 1

Haminoea sp. 1

Haminoea sp. 1

Haminoea sp. 1 mating pair


Haminoea sp. 1

Haminoea sp. 1

Haminoea sp. 1

Haminoea sp. 1

Haminoea sp. 1 mating pair



Aplysia argus

Aplysia argus

Aplysia argus

Aplysia argus

Aplysia argus

Aplysia argus

Aplysia argus

Aplysia argus pond

Aplysia argus

Aplysia argus

Aplysia argus

Aplysia argus

Aplysia argus

2 Aplysia argus

Aplysia argus

Aplysia argus

Aplysia argus

Aplysia argus

Aplysia argus territory

Elysia coodgeensis

Elysia coodgeensis

Elysia coodgeensis and Haminoea sp. 1