Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Species List: 1-05-2017. La Balsa Park, Mooloolah River, Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

6 species sighted at La Balsa Park, Mooloolah River, Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Qld, 01-05-2017.

A single shore entry dive by Julie and Terry of 104 minutes. Maximum depth 6.4 m, 22 C water temperature and up to 2 m viz.

The river is becoming a more popular dive site and quite a few divers were expected for the Labour Day Public Holiday. For this reason, Julie and I decided to take advantage of the relatively small tidal run and entered the water well before the high tide to avoid the crowd. Our efforts were rewarded with a relaxing dive and lots to see. Although the nudibranchs are taking their time to reappear following the long hot, dry spell followed by the heavy rains, the ovulids have made a quick return and could be seen on most of the soft corals.

Number of species sighted
* Species with highest specimen count.

Dermatobranchus sp. 6 - 1
Flabellina rubrolineata - 12
Goniobranchus sp. 1 - 2
Gymnodoris sp. 10 - 1
Hypselodoris obscura - 3
*Pteraeolidia semperi - 13

 Flabellina rubrolineata with egg mass

 Hypselodoris obscura

Flabellina rubrolineata
 Dermatobranchus sp. 6
Gymnodoris sp. 10