Nudibranch Central

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Species List: 17-06-2017, La Balsa Park, Mooloolah River, Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

8 species sighted at La Balsa Park, Mooloolah River, Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Qld, 17-06-2017

A single shore entry dive by Gary and Gail of 105 minutes. Maximum depth 5.9 m, 21 C water temperature and up to 8 m viz very clear water and little current.

Perfect conditions again for a shore dive! Plenty of Goniodoridella sp. 1 to observe and shoot. One small 3 mm bubble shell belonging to Atys semistriatus.

Number of species sighted
* Species with highest specimen count

Atys semistriatus -1
Cratena lineata -7
Flabellina rubrolineata -12
Goniobranchus daphne -2
* Goniodoridella sp. 1 -36
Hypselodoris obscura -2
Pteraeolidia semperi -3
Tenellia sibogae -4

Beautiful winter day entry

Nice clear water - substrate

Goniodoridella sp. 1

Atys semistriatus shell

Goniodoridella sp. 1

Cratena lineata

Flabellina rubrolineata

Pteraeolidia semperi

Tenellia sibogae

Cratena lineata

Flabellina rubrolineata

Cratena lineata

Gail shooting one

Goniobranchus daphne

Hypselodoris obscura

Hypselodoris obscura rhinophore detail

Goniobranchus daphne

Monday, June 12, 2017

Species List: 11-06-2017, The Trench, Gneering Shoals, off Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Qld

15 species sighted at The Trench, Gneering Shoals, off Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Qld, 11-06-2017

Gary diving solo on this excursion with Sunreef Scuba Diving on Nudibranch Day consisting of 1 x 52 minute and 1 x 53 minute dives in water depths from 15 m to 19.6 m. Up to 15 m viz, 20 C water temp and quite a bit of surge due to a 2 m swell.

With the swell and the surge it produces the number of nudibranch species found was quite low. Trying to keep the camera still while it focuses was a challenge. It was exciting seeing 3 Phyllidiopsis burni animals together.

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

Ardeadoris rubroannulata -/1
Chromodoris elisabethina 1/1
Chromodoris kuiteri 2/1
Dermatobranchus rodmani -/1
Dermatobranchus sp. 8 -/1
Doriprismatica atromarginata 3/1
Glossodoris vespa -/1
Goniobranchus geometricus 1/-
Hexabranchus sanguineus 1/-
Hypselodoris jacksoni 1/-
Phyllidia varicosa -/1
Phyllidiella lizae 1/2
Phyllidiella pustulosa 1/1
Phyllidiopsis burni 3/-
Thuridilla splendens -/2

Sunreef and divers prepare to leave

The substrate

Phyllidiella lizae

Chromodoris kuiteri

Hypselodoris jacksoni

Phyllidiopsis burni

Chromodoris elisabethina

Phyllidiella pustulosa

Surface conditions

Dermatobranchus rodmani

Phyllidiella pustulosa

Thuridilla splendens

Phyllidiella lizae

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Species List: 08-06-2017, La Balsa Park, Mooloolah River, Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

8 species sighted at La Balsa Park, Mooloolah River, Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Qld, 08-06-2017

A single shore entry night dive by Gary, Jens and Delphine of 101 minutes. Maximum depth 6.1 m, 20 C water temperature and up to 10 m viz very clear water.

Perfect conditions for a night shore dive! From the bottom at 6.1 m I could see the moon clearly. The water clearity was great. Nice to Flabellina angelvaldesi out again. The new camera worked a treat!

Number of species sighted
* Species with highest specimen count

* Cratena lineata -12
Flabellina angelvaldesi -6
Flabellina rubrolineata -10
Flabellina sp. 5 -2
Goniobranchus daphne -1
Goniodoridella sp. 1 -9
Gymnodoris sp. 10 -1
Philinopsis falciphallus -1
Pteraeolidia semperi -1