7 species sighted at Route 66 and back, Mooloolah River, La Balsa Park, Buddina, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. 30-10-2026.
A single solo shore entry dive with Gary of 127 minutes, Kelly-Anne and Tomas came in as I was getting out, 1.9 m, maximum depth 5.7 m, 23 C water temperature, up to 6 m viz.
With a lot of rain in the last weeks it was time to dive. The surface vis looked great! Upon starting my search I came across the first Gorgonian...it was dead. I knew that everything was dead from the fresh water hitting the bottom. All gorgonians, hydroids and halimeda were dead. This was the second time that has happened, even tho the first one did smash everything.
Species and numbers recorded:
Atys sp. shell -1
Cratena lineata -1
Goniobranchus daphne -4
Goniobranchus variatus -1
Murphydoris cobbi -1
Retusa sp. shell -1
Tornatina sp. shell -1
Entry
Clarity
Surface
Substrate upon descent
The float
The Pipe
Dead gorgonian
Substrate
Anemone
Coral
Goniobranchus daphne the only two
Goniobranchus daphne
Dead hydroids
Cratena lineata the only one
Gothum City
Dead bryzoan
Live tubeworms
Murphydoris cobbi the only one
Dead gorgonian and halimeda
The Icon
Substrate
Atys sp.
Tornatina sp.
Retusa sp.
Tornatina sp.
Retusa sp.
