Julie, Gary and David on this excursion consisting of 1 x 78 minute and 1 x 69 minute dives in water depths from 14 m to 18 m. 20 m viz (measured), 24 C water temp and some intermittent surge.
We were blessed with perfect surface conditions on our trip out and excellent sub-surface conditions on immersion - in fact, the sea surface “glassed out” mid-morning (well - undulating glass anyway), and the sea bed was visible from aboard the boat. That 20 m viz was most enjoyable. There did not seem to be significant numbers of any species except Chromodoris elisabethina and Aegires citrinus. Those species worth a special mention due to their not-so-common status are: Verconia verconiforma, Diversidoris crocea and Mexichromis pusilla. During the surface interval we were entertained by a school of Batfish that were doing their best shark impersonation by coming right up and swimming with their dorsal fins breaking the surface.
We sighted a small and a large Phyllidia varicosa. The larger specimen is without doubt that species however it has been suggested to us that the smaller one may be Phyllidia haegeli. The two are almost identical from a dorsal aspect with the major external characteristic that differentiates the two being that Phyllidia varicosa has a dorsal anus while Phyllidia haegeli has a ventral anus meaning it is not visible on the dorsum. The aspect at which all our photos have been taken do not allow for a definite conclusion to be drawn. Whilst we can say that a dorsal anus does not seem to be apparent we cannot say one is definitely not there.
Number of each species sighted: 1st dive/2nd dive
* Species with highest specimen count
Aegires citrinus -/5
Ardeadoris sp.2 1/-
Berthella martensi 1/-
Cadlinella ornatissima 1/-
* Chromodoris elisabethina 6/6
Chromodoris kuiteri 1/-
Dermatobranchus rodmani 1/-
Diversidoris crocea 1/-
Doriprismatica atromarginata 2/1
Facelina sp. 3 -/1
Flabellina bicolor -/1
Goniobranchus collingwoodi 2/-
Goniobranchus geometricus -/1
Goniobranchus sp. 7 1/-
Goniodoridella savignyi -/1
Mexichromis pusilla 1/-
Mexichromis trilineata -/1
Phyllidia varicosa -/2
Phyllidiella lizae 3/2
Phyllidiella pustulosa 3/2
Sagaminopteron ornatum -/1
Tenellia sp. 33 1/-
Thuridilla carlsoni 1/1
Thuridilla splendens -/1
Verconia simplex 1/1
Verconia verconiforma -/1
Gettin' shipshape
Goniobranchus collingwoodi
Diversidoris crocea
Doriprismatica atromarginata
Phyllidiella lizae
Phyllidiella pustulosa - with its egg mass?
Chromodoris elisabethina
Cadlinella ornatissima
Verconia verconiforma
Flabellina bicolor
Goniodoridella savignyi
Facelina sp. 3
Phyllidia varicosa (or is it Phyllidia haegeli?)
Phyllidia varicosa
Lots of coral growth and associated fish life
Wonderful 20 metre visibility
Sometimes the visibility dropped dramatically.
Where's David?
Then just as quickly cleared.
There's David
Mexichromis pusilla
Sagaminopteron ornatum
Aegires citrinus
Thuridilla splendens
Surface conditions - Undulating glass
Verconia simplex
Berthella martensi
Dermatobranchus rodmani
Goniobranchus sp. 7
Thuridilla carlsoni
