Species List: 02-05-2017, Shellacey Reef, Gneering Shoals, off Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Qld.

32 species sighted at Shellacey Reef, Gneering Shoals, off Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Qld, 02-05-2017.

Gary and David on this excursion consisting of 1 x 79 minute and 1 x 76 minute dives in water depths from 14 m to 17 m. 15 m viz, 23 C water temp and no surge.

A smaller dive team headed out to the Gneerings in almost perfect weather and the dive conditions promised the same. It was a joy to dive without struggling against the surge. A wonderful cross section of sea slugs were sighted with all but two being true nudibranchs. For a short time we held high hopes of a new species for the list but we have now resolved to call it a juvenile specimen of our Sclerodoris sp. 4.

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

Aegires gardineri 1/-
Cadlinella ornatissima -/1
* Chromodoris elisabethina 7/13
Chromodoris kuiteri 1/1
Chromodoris magnifica 1/1
Cratena lineata 2/-
Dermatobranchus fortunatus 1/-
Dermatobranchus rodmani 1/-
Doriprismatica atromarginata 5/2
Glossodoris vespa -/1
Goniobranchus collingwoodi 1/-
Goniobranchus decorus -/1
Goniobranchus geometricus -/1
Goniobranchus splendidus 1/1
Goniobranchus sp. 2 -/1
Gymnodoris alba 1/-
Hypselodoris jacksoni 3/1
Hypselodoris maculosa 4/1
Hypselodoris obscura 1/-
Mexichromis trilineata 2/-
Phyllidia ocellata -/1
Phyllidia varicosa -/2
Phyllidiella annulata -/1
Phyllidiella lizae 1/2
Phyllidiella pustulosa 1/4
Phyllidiopsis cardinalis 2/-
Sclerodoris sp. 4 -/1
Tenellia sp. 33 4/4
Thorunna daniellae -/1
Thuridilla splendens 1/4
Tritoniopsis elegans 1/-
Tylodina corticalis -/1

Tritoniopsis elegans

Chromodoris kuiteri

Phyllidiopsis cardinalis - a little one

Goniobranchus collingwoodi

Aegires gardineri 

Chromodoris magnifica

Cratena lineata

Hypselodoris maculosa

Thuridilla splendens

Thorunna daniellae

Tenellia sp. 33

Goniobranchus geometricus

Phyllidiella annulata

Substrate

Chromodoris elisabethina

Mexichromis trilineata

Phyllidiopsis cardinalis - a big one

Dermatobranchus fortunatus

A slime of sea slugs

Hypselodoris jacksoni 

Phyllidiella pustulosa

Phyllidiella lizae

Doriprismatica atromarginata

Hypselodoris obscura 

Many hard and soft corals

Surface conditions

Phyllidia ocellata 

Glossodoris vespa

Goniobranchus decorus

Sclerodoris sp. 4 - a juvenile at 7 mm long

Sclerodoris sp. 4 (on black)

Phyllidia varicosa

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

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

A single shore entry dive by Gary, Elisha, Dan and Per of 122 minutes. Maximum depth 6.4 m, 22 C water temperature and up to 2-3 m viz.

A very cruisey dive with lots to see.

Number of species sighted
* Species with highest specimen count

Flabellina rubrolineata -12
Goniobranchus aureopurpureus -1
Goniodoridella savignyi -1
Goniodoridella sp. 1 -15
Gymnodoris sp. 9 -1
Hypselodoris obscura -6
* Pteraeolidia semperi -33
Tenellia sibogae -6

The site

Getting ready to descend

Goniodoridella sp. 1

Dan on the bottom

The bottom

Tenellia sibogae

Tenellia sibogae

Pteraeolidia semperi

Pteraeolidia semperi

Approaching the marker

Pteraeolidia semperi

More the substrate

Pteraeolidia semperi

Flabellina rubrolineata

Goniodoridella savignyi

Hypselodoris obscura

Gymnodoris sp. 9

Gymnodoris sp. 9

Flabellina rubrolineata

Goniobranchus aureopurpureus

Flabellina rubrolineata

Tenellia sibogae

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