Julie, Terry, Gary and David on this excursion consisting of 1 x 93 minute and 1 x 81 minute dives in water depths from 9 m to 14 m. 10 m viz, 26 C water temp and surge.
Species count was a little down due no doubt to the surge experienced on this shallower portion of the shoals. This is only our second visit to this site, the first being back in November 2013. It is slightly to the north of Terry's Delight and differs in substrate topography with large jumbled boulders falling away into sand. Large numbers of Tylodina corticalis were present. Of particular interest were the two specimens of Goniobranchus geometricus with a startling difference in the notum appearance.
Number of each species sighted: 1st dive/2nd dive
* Species with highest specimen count
Bornella anguilla 1/2
* Doriprismatica atromarginata 22/18
Elysia maoria 3/-
Eubranchus sp. 3 -/1
Glossodoris vespa 2/1
Goniobranchus geometricus -/2
Goniobranchus splendidus -/1
Halgerda aurantiomaculata 1/-
Hexabranchus sanguineus 2/-
Hypselodoris jacksoni 3/9
Hypselodoris maculosa 1/-
Hypselodoris obscura 2/-
Jorunna sp.3 1/-
Phyllidia elegans 1/-
Phyllidia picta 1/-
Phyllidia varicosa 1/1
Phyllidiella lizae 1/-
Phyllidiella pustulosa 3/2
Pleurolidia juliae -/1
Roboastra luteolineata -/1
Sagaminopteron ornatum 2/4
Tenellia sibogae -/1
Tenellia sp. 33 2/-
Thuridilla carlsoni 1/-
Thuridilla splendens 3/2
Tritoniopsis elegans 2/2
Tylodina corticalis 6/11
Halgerda aurantiomaculata
Hypselodoris obscura
Elysia maoria
Tylodina corticalis - mating position, head to head
Tritoniopsis elegans
Surface conditions - Coolum burning
in the background
in the background
Hypselodoris jacksoni - mating pair
Eubranchus sp. 3
Bornella anguilla
Goniobranchus geometricus - notum variations
Glossodoris vespa
Hexabranchus sanguineus
Jorunna sp.3
Phyllidiella lizae
Tenellia sibogae
Thuridilla splendens
Phyllidia elegans
Doriprismatica atromarginata
Hypselodoris maculosa
Sagaminopteron ornatum
Pleurolidia juliae
Phyllidia varicosa
Comparing notes during surface interval
Substrate
Thuridilla carlsoni
Tenellia sp. 33
Goniobranchus splendidus
Roboastra luteolineata
Phyllidia picta
