Nudibranch Central: March 2022

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

*Species List: 30-03-2022, Route 66, Mooloolah River, La Balsa Park, Buddina, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

11 species sighted at Route 66, Mooloolah River, La Balsa Park, Buddina, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. 30-03-2022.

A single solo shore entry morning with Gary of 104 minutes. Maximum depth 5.6 m, 26 C water temperature, 3 m viz.

The river has not improved in one month. No live nudibranchs were found. All food sources are dead or gone. Did almost run into a turtle in the beginning of the dive, it didn't look too good. Bubble shell hunting is great!

Species and number thereof sighted

* Species with highest specimen count

Haminoea sp. 19 shell -2

Liloa brevis shell -5

Retusa amphizosta shell -1

Retusa planospira shell -1

Retusa sp. 1 shell -2

Retusa sp. 5 shell -1

Retusa sp. 6 shell -1

Ringicula sp. 1 shell -1

Roxaniella leucampyx shell -1

Tornatina sp. 1 shell -1

Vellicolla amphorella shell -1

Entry

Clarity

Surface

Fish Cage

Coral skeleton

Substrate

Retusa amphizosta

A friend

Retusa sp. 6

Tornatina sp. 1 with crab

Liloa brevis

Haminoea sp. 19

Roxaniella leucampyx

Retusa sp. 6

Retusa sp. 1

Ringicula sp. 1

Vellicolla amphorella

Retusa planospira

Retusa amphizosta

Sunday, March 27, 2022

Species List: 27-03-2022, Shellacey Reef, Gneering Shoals, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

10 species sighted at Shellacey Reef, Gneering Shoals, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. 27-02-2022.

A double boat entry morning with Gary and Sunreef Nudibranch Day of two 50 minute dives. Maximum depth 18.8 m, 26 C water temperature, 15 m viz.

Finally the conditions were right. The last time I saw Nudibranchs was a month ago, today was very nice. There was a ripping lung buster surface current present. But down on the bottom there was joy and some nice Nudibranchs. The highlight for me was coming eye-to-eye at the safety stop with fast moving Hydromyles globulosus in the current. I tried to collect one but they were too fast. A large Halgerda aurantiomaculata was a treat to shoot and admire. A mating pair and solo Cadlinella ornatissima were nice to see as well.

Species and number thereof sighted

* Species with highest specimen count

Cadlinella ornatissima -3

Ceratosoma tenue -1

Chromodoris kuiteri -2

Dermatobranchus rodmani -1

Halgerda aurantiomaculata -1

Hexabranchus sanguineus -many young

* Hydromyles globulosus -6

Phyllidiella lizae -3

Tornatina sp. 1 shell -1

Verconia laboutei -1

Our ride

Working?

Substrate

Dermatobranchus rodmani

Cadlinella ornatissima x2

Phyllidiella lizae

Chromodoris kuiteri

Hexabranchus sanguineus egg mass

Surface

Phyllidiella lizae

Flatworm

Halgerda aurantiomaculata

Verconia laboutei

Ceratosoma tenue

Cadlinella ornatissima

Tornatina sp. 1

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

*Species List: 22-03-2022, Route 66, Mooloolah River, La Balsa Park, Buddina, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

10 species sighted at Route 66, Mooloolah River, La Balsa Park, Buddina, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. 22-02-2022.

A single solo shore entry morning with Gary of 152 minutes. Maximum depth 5.8 m, 26 C water temperature, 4 m viz.

With the river as dead as it is I will try to get in once a week to see any progress. Meanwhile the river is still dead. No live nudibranchs of any kind were seen. However it was a bubble shell extravaganza. Came across a spear fishing sling, dragged it and a pair of sunglasses around to exit. Lastly, at least water quality is improving.

Species and number thereof sighted

* Species with highest specimen count

Atys semistriatus shell -3

Atys sp. 9 shell -1

Liloa brevis shell -20

Mnestia sp. 1 shell -1

Retusa amphizosta shell -4

Retusa sp. 6 shell -2

Roxaniella leucampyx shell -2

Tornatina sp. 1 shell -1

Tornatina sp. 9 shell -2

Unknown juvenile shell -1