17 species sighted at Route 66 and back, Mooloolah River, La Balsa Park, Buddina, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. 06-02-2024.
A single solo shore entry dive with Gary of 220 minutes, 1.1 m, maximum depth 5.4 m, 30 C water temperature, up to 3 m viz.
This is the first time I know of that the water temp in the river has been 30C. After rain and runoff the river has suffered a bit, lots of silt and sand coverage. Species numbers are on the decline, however Murphydoris cobbi is shining like a bright star. This species does very well when the chips are down. Two Hypselodoris sp. 10 with yellow spots on the gills were recorded today. But today a young Plakobranchus ocellatus was found and what a beauty it was. No Bubble-shells were seen...
Species and numbers recorded:
Cratena lineata -1
Facelina sp. 11 -2
Flabellina lotos -1
Flabellina pseudolotos -2
Goniobranchus daphne -6
Goniobranchus setoensis -2
Goniodoridella unidonta -1
Hypselodoris obscura -17
Hypselodoris sp. 10 -2
Murphydoris cobbi -180+
Plakobranchus ocellatus -1
Tenellia sibogae (yellow) -3
Tenellia sp. 70 -1
Unidentia sp. 1 -37
Unidentia sp. 3 -10
Unidentia sp. 9 -1
Unidentia sp. 14 -2
30C Entry
Clarity
Surface
Substrate upon descent
Murphydoris cobbi x2
Murphydoris cobbi x2
Hypselodoris obscura
Murphydoris cobbi x2
Substrate
Giant Cowrie
Tenellia sibogae
Tenellia sp. 70
Hypselodoris obscura
Substrate
Unidentia sp. 1
Unidentia sp. 3 x2
Unidentia sp. 3 x3
Unidentia sp. 1 x2
Hypselodoris obscura
Substrate
Hypselodoris obscura
Murphydoris cobbi x4
Murphydoris cobbi x2
Murphydoris cobbi
Substrate
Goniobranchus daphne
Cratena lineata
Two new friends
Unidentia sp. 9
Murphydoris cobbi
Goniodoridella unidonta
Gothum City
Murphydoris cobbi x2
Goniobranchus setoensis
Goniobranchus setoensis
Unidentia sp. 3 x2
Goniobranchus daphne
Flabellina lotos
Flabellina lotos spawn
Tenellia sibogae
Hypselodoris sp. 10
Hypselodoris sp. 10
Substrate
Unidentia sp. 9
Seal Rock
Juvenile Goniobranchus daphne
30C
Flatworm
Plakobranchus ocellatus
Plakobranchus ocellatus
The Icon
Murphydoris cobbi
Hypselodoris sp. 10
Hypselodoris sp. 10
Facelina sp. 11
Facelina sp. 11