Nudibranch Central

Monday, June 5, 2023

Species List: 04-06-2023, Nudibranch Day at Sunreef, The Trench off Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

20 species sighted at Nudibranch Day at Sunreef, The Trench off Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. 04-06-2023.

A double boat entry dive with Gary, David and son plus Micheal Cee and others of two 50 minute dives. Maximum depth 17.2 m, 21 C water temperature, up to 15 m viz.

Inclement weather was upon us and during the second dive it hit us. The anchor drop was spot on right on top of the grotto. As I was returning back to the anchor, it exploded of the top and slide to the sand bottom accelerating. I swam hard to catch the chain climbed up to the rope and went for a 100m train ride across the Trench to the other side before the anchor finally caught and I proceeded to work myself back to the boat. The water was so blue on the descent. I wore my 7 mm wetsuit on this one, anticipating surge and rough surface conditions. Despite that we found some nice Nudibranchs. Thank you Paul, Abbie and Holly!

Species and numbers sighted:

Aegires gardineri -1

Ardeadoris rubroannulata -1

Ceratodoma tenue -1

Chromodoris annae -1

Chromodoris elisabethina -6

Chromodoris kuiteri -1

Chromodoris lochi -1

Doriprismatica atromarginata -5

Flabellina exoptata -1

Goniobranchus geometricus -2

Goniobranchus splendidus -2

Goniobranchus sp. 8 -1

Goniodoridella savignyi -1

Hypselodoris jacksoni -3

Phyllidia ocellata -2

Phyllidia vericosa -1

Phyllidiella pustulosa -4

Phyllidiopsis burni -1

Tenellia sp. 33 -1

Thuridilla sp. 6 -3

Our ride

Surface

Substrate

Chromodoris elisabethina

Chromodoris annae

Doriprismatica atromarginata

Ardeadoris rubroannulata

Phyllidiella pustulosa

Thuridilla sp. 6

Goniobranchus sp. 8

Phyllidiella pustulosa

Goniodoridella savignyi

MCee workin it...

Phyllidiella pustulosa

Hypselodoris jacksoni

Doriprismatica atromarginata

Tenellia sp. 33

Ceratodoma tenue

Phyllidiopsis burni

Hypselodoris jacksoni

Phyllidia ocellata

Chromodoris lochi

Doriprismatica atromarginata

Phyllidia vericosa

Hypselodoris jacksoni

Chromodoris elisabethina

Ardeadoris rubroannulata

Goniobranchus sp. 8

Ceratodoma tenue

Flabellina exoptata

Aegires gardineri

Thursday, June 1, 2023

Species List: 31-05-2023, Fish Cage, Mooloolah River, La Balsa Park, Buddina, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia.

12 species sighted at Fish Cage, Mooloolah River, La Balsa Park, Buddina, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. 31-05-2023.

A single solo shore entry dive with Gary of 120 minutes. Maximum depth 5.7 m, 20 C water temperature, 8+ m viz.

With reports of clear winter water off I went. It was to my surprise that when I assembled the gear only to find 115 bar in my 18L tank that I realised the valve must have cracked with a slow leak while in the Jeep. Crappo. The vis was super and when the sun was overhead - magic. The new drysuit is still a pain to get in and out of. Local help worked a treat. A new Gymnodoris with rhinophores protruding from a single pocket. Exciting! The bold white Unidentia sp. 4 -2 another Come-Back-Species! Great to see again. Surprised at the numbers of Idaliadoris maugeansis were recoded today.

Ahh the last day of autumn.

Species and numbers sighted:

Eubranchus sp. 10 -2

Goniobranchus geometicus -1

Gymnodoris sp. 36 -1 NEW SPECIES

Haminoea sp. 20 shell -1

Idaliadoris maugeansis -12

Liloa brevis shell -1

Murphydoris adusta -1

Murphydoris cobbi -3

Tenellia sibogae -1

Unidentia sp. 1 -52