10 species sighted at Route 66, Mooloolah River, La Balsa Park, Buddina, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. 16-02-2022.
A single solo shore entry morning with Gary of 245 minutes. Maximum depth 5.8 m, 27 C water temperature, 0 to 2 m viz.
Ahhh more midweek diving. Despite the results of swell and wind and rain I thought I would see what was there. The water column is still full of fluff. The bottom is covered in thick silt sometimes 50 mm deep. Cratena pawarshindeorum is very common. I did notice that the food sources are really depleting. Some animals have a bloated pericardium. I think they may on the way out after giving us a great showing. Highlight for me was recording a new species of Dermatobranchus 27 mm. No bubble shells were to be seen.
Species and number thereof sighted
* Species with highest specimen count
Cratena lineata -11
* Cratena pawarshindeorum -77
Cratena simba -1
Dermatobranchus sp. 17 -1 NEW SPECIES
Eubranchus sp. 10 -2
Flabellina lotos -1
Goniobranchus daphne -1
Goniodoridella sp. 1 -6
Goniodoridella sp. 6 -1
Hypselodoris obscura -4
Entry
Clarity
Edge
Exit
Surface
Cratena pawarshindeorum
Substrate
Substrate
Goniobranchus daphne
Goniobranchus daphne
Goniodoridella sp. 1
Substrate
Cratena pawarshindeorum
Cratena lineata
Goniodoridella sp. 1
Goniodoridella sp. 6
Substrate
Cratena simba
Cratena lineata x2
Cratena pawarshindeorum
Cratena pawarshindeorum x5
Hypselodoris obscura
Substrate
Hypselodoris obscura x2
Eubranchus sp. 10
Dermatobranchus sp. 17 NEW SPECIES
Dermatobranchus sp. 17 NEW SPECIES
Dermatobranchus sp. 17 NEW SPECIES
Cratena pawarshindeorum spawning
Goniodoridella sp. 1
Cratena pawarshindeorum x2
Hypselodoris obscura
Thick silt
Flabellina lotos
Moon snail
Dermatobranchus sp. 17 NEW SPECIES
Dermatobranchus sp. 17 NEW SPECIES
Dermatobranchus sp. 17 NEW SPECIES
Dermatobranchus sp. 17 NEW SPECIES
Dermatobranchus sp. 17 NEW SPECIES
