Species List: Kings Beach, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, 20-11-2014

15 species sighted during this shore dive at Kings Beach, Caloundra, Sunshine Coast.

Julie, and Terry on this 124 minute single shore-entry dive in depths from 2.5 to 6 m. Positively balmy 24C water temp, 8 m viz. and light surge.

Northerly winds meant that boat diving was not an ideal option on Thursday, however it meant that conditions were finally suitable to check out Kings Beach after a long hiatus.  The visibility was very good for this site and, despite a large amount of different algae, the reef looks fairly healthy.  The critters were out in significant numbers for this site, with Umbraculum umbraculum still around and laying eggs.

Number of species sighted
* Species with highest specimen count

Ardeadoris aff. averni - 1
Cyerce sp. - 1 (Found on Dictyota bartayresiana)
Dermatobranchus cf. primus - 3
*Doriprismatica atromarginata - 23
Goniobranchus splendidus - 6
Gymnodoris alba - 3
Gymnodoris okinawae - 4
Hypselodoris obscura - 9
Hypselodoris whitei - 2
Julia exquisita - 1
Mexichromis festiva - 13
Mexichromis trilineata - 2
Micromelo undatus - 1
Thuridilla carlsoni - 1
Umbraculum umbraculum - 2

 

Julia exquisita

 

Gymnodoris alba

 Julia exquisita - on Dictyota
dichotoma var. intricata (we think!)

Terry going low and slow

Substrate

 Surface conditions

 Micromelo undatus

 Hypselodoris whitei

 Umbraculum umbraculum - laying eggs from
the outside in

 Gymnodoris okinawae

 Cyerce sp.

Species List: Terry's Delight, Arkwright Shoals off Coolum, Sunshine Coast, 11-11-2014

18 species sighted at Terry's Delight, Arkwright Shoals off Coolum, Sunshine Coast.

Terry and David on this single dive of 68 minutes to depths between 14 and 20m. 23C water temperature, 5m viz and lots of surge.

Mischief is now relocated to Mooloolaba and we were keen to take her out for a run. Conditions were as forecast on the run up to Point Arkwright and supposed to improve but unfortunately deteriorated quickly once we had entered the water. The surge was incredible and this is reflected in the lack of in-focus images for the report. We were surprised that the species count was even this high given that surge. We decided enough was enough after an hour in those washing machine conditions and surfaced to increased wind and swell and so cancelled the second dive.


Number of species sighted
* Species with highest specimen count


Chelidonura inornata -3
Dermatobranchus cf. primus -2
*Doriprismatica atromarginata -7
Elysia maoria -2
Glossodoris vespa -1
*Hypselodoris jacksoni -7
Hypselodoris obscura -1
Jorunna sp. 3 -1
Lobiger souverbii -1
Miamira magnifica -1
Oxynoe viridis -2
Phyllidia exquisita -1
Phyllidia ocellata -1
Phyllidiella lizae -1
Phyllidiella pustulosa -1
Sagaminopteron ornatum -2
Tritoniopsis alba -1
Tylodina corticalis -1

Substrate

Phyllidiella pustulosa

Tylodina corticalis

Doriprismatica atromarginata

Jorunna sp. 3

Sagaminopteron ornatum

Chelidonura inornata