COMMENTS & OBSERVATIONS

Hard to believe that conditions are still excellent so back to the water we go. The water is warming up quickly and it is about time to get back into the sharkskin and out of the neoprene. This time we headed straight for the seagrass and the algae covered rock. We found the Oxynoe viridis (they had not gone far) but no sign of the Aplysia argus.

Despite a thorough search of the algae we failed to find any more critters amongst it, so headed off east to see what treasures the reef held today. After finding 14 Hypselodoris bullocki two days ago, we only found one today! However we did find several different species today (again very small) which increases the diversity observed at this site. A very pleasant dive and fingers crossed the good weather continues a bit longer.

Taxonomic Diversity:
Ten of the fourteen species sighted were nudibranchs, eight being dorids comprising 3 x porostome (suctorial feeders), 2 x phanerobranch (non-retractile gill), 3 x cryptobranch (retractable gill); and two cladobranch comprising 2 x aeolids, 0 x arminids and 0 x dendronotinids. Two sacoglossan and two headshield slugs (Aglajidae) complete the count. A total of 37 specimens were sighted.

Our Historical data:
– We have now completed 14 survey dives at this site since our first survey here on 21/11/2022.
– We have now recorded 59 species at this site.
– Our most commonly recorded species at this site are Gymnodoris sp. 26 (62%), Elysia sp. 31 (46%), Gymnodoris citrina (46%) and Jorunna funebris (38%).
– The most prevalent species we record here are Haloa sp. 02 (2.4 per dive), Gymnodoris sp. 26 (2.35 per dive), Hypselodoris bullockii 1.9 per dive) and Hypselodoris emma (1.1 per dive).
– This is the first occasion on which we have recorded Niparaya regiscorona on any of our dives and the first occasion on which we have recorded Tenellia nakapila in the Whitsundays.
– Our last survey at this site was on 02/11/2025

Guide to Symbols:
+++ New Species
+ First time sighted in Whitsundays
# Most commonly sighted at this site with %

TOTAL SPECIES SIGHTED: 14

DIVE IMAGES GALLERY

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