Sunday, February 9, 2014

Species List: Forskalii Park (Plateau), Currimundi, Sunshine Coast, 08-02-2014

16 species found at Forskalii Park (on the Plateau), Currimundi Reef, Sunshine Coast.
This was a Reef Check charter with Sunreef Dive on "2 Ezy". They had a spare spot so I (David) tagged along. Two 50 minute dives in 9 metres of water. 10 m viz, 25C water temp. and lots of surge. Some of the sightings include those recalled by Terry & Julie during their Reef Check duties.

Somewhat surprised by the clarity of the water given the 1 m viz we had in this region not so long ago.

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

Ardeadoris aff. averni 1/-
Chelidonura inornata 1/-
Dendrodoris denisoni 1/-
Dermatobranchus cf. primus 2/-
Dermatobranchus rodmani 1/2
Dermatobranchus tuberculatus -/2
Doriprismatica atromarginata 2/1
Flabellina sp. 1 1/-
Glossodoris vespa 1/2
Gymnodoris alba 1/-
Hexabranchus sanguineus 1/-
Hypselodoris jacksoni 1/1
Hypselodoris obscura -/1
Phyllidiella pustulosa 1/2
Phyllidia elegans -/1
* Sagaminopteron ornatum -/6

Doriprismatica atromarginata - rolling 
side to side in the surge

Dendrodoris denisoni

Flabellina sp. 1

Hypselodoris jacksoni

Sagaminopteron ornatum

Dermatobranchus tuberculatus

A close shot of the colourful substrate. 
Not too many soft corals or sponges but 
quite a number of hard corals observed

Hexabranchus sanguineus