Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Species List: Nudi Ledge, Currimundi Reef, Sunshine Coast, 12-05-2014

29 species sighted at Nudi Ledge, Currimundi Reef, Sunshine Coast.
Terry & David on this excursion consisting of 1 x 86 minute and 1 x 90 minute dives in water depths from 14m to 17m. 15m viz, 22C water temp and no surge.

The forecast of 10 - 15 knots winds we thought would be manageable and so it was. Our mindset has definitely been influenced by the 5 - 10 knot days that we occasionally enjoy - but not often enough. The constant joggling of the boat whilst we were on the surface has given us tired legs from continual compensation to keep our balance. Conditions below were ideal for this site. We missed the actual ledge but reeled up to it taking our time to inspect the flats on the way. All the old favourites were there to greet us as well as a few of those not too often sighted.

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

Ardeadoris aff. averni -/2
Ardeadoris rubroannulata 1/-
Bornella anguilla -/3
Cadlinella ornatissima 1/1
Chelidonura inornata -/1
Chromodoris kuiteri 1/2
Chromodoris striatella 1/1
Dermatobranchus cf. primus 1/-
Dermatobranchus ornatus 2/1
* Doriprismatica atromarginata 5/9
Elysia maoria 1/-
Goniobranchus daphne 1/-
Goniobranchus decorus 1/-
Goniobranchus kuniei -/1
Goniobranchus splendidus 1/1
Gymnodoris alba -/1
Hypselodoris jacksoni 1/-
Hypselodoris obscura 3/3
Jorunna parva 1/-
Lobiger souverbii -/1
Phyllidia ocellata 5/1
Phyllidia varicosa -/1
Phyllidiella lizae 2/2
Phyllidiella pustulosa 2/3
Protaeolidiella juliae -/1
Pteraeolidia ianthina 2/1
Roboastra luteolineata -/1
Sagaminopteron ornatum -/2
Tylodina corticalis 1/-

Surface conditions - looking north

Surface conditions - looking south

Jorunna parva

Ardeadoris aff. averni

Gymnodoris alba

Goniobranchus kuniei

Sagaminopteron ornatum

Terry at "the office"

Roboastra luteolineata

Bornella anguilla - note the anterior of the foot 
gripping the hydroid stem as the mouth 
prepares to strip polyps

Bornella anguilla

Dermatobranchus ornatus

Goniobranchus decorus

Chromodoris striatella

Ardeadoris rubroannulata

Phyllidiella lizae

Elysia maoria

Chromodoris kuiteri

Doriprismatica atromarginata

Tylodina corticalis

Cadlinella ornatissima

Lobiger souverbii feeding on Caulerpa 
racemosa - note: no blue stripes

Goniobranchus splendidus

Protaeolidiella juliae

Chelidonura inornata