COMMENTS & OBSERVATIONS

Conditions have been rather ordinary (bordering on horrible) what with a Cyclone and lots of rain and more wind and more rain, resulting in either dirty water, lumpy water or both. Finally surface conditions eased and the visibility did not look too bad. We ventured out through reasonably good visibility completely missing the algae covered rock that we were aiming for but still managed to hit the reef. We found the Dendrodoris on the sand on the way out, quite a distance from any structure. Visibility reduced significantly the further east we went so we ventured towards the north over the reef. We observed quite a few damaged areas of coral, whilst other patches appeared unscathed, so were not sure what caused the damage.

Unfortunately lumpy ones ruled the day as we were largely on the reef, although the Philinopsis lineolata was a nice find and the Elysia was soooo tiny it is amazing it was found at all. Although not our most productive dive it was still nice to be back in the water.

Taxonomic Diversity:
Five of the seven species sighted were nudibranchs, 5 being dorids comprising 4 x porostomes (suctorial feeders), 0 x phanerobranchs (non-retractile gill), 1 x cryptobranch (retractable gill); and nil cladobranchs comprising 0 x aeolids, 0 x arminids and 0 x dendronotinids. A single sacoglossan and a single headshield slug complete the sightings. A total of 12 specimens were sighted. If diet is considered, five the seven were spongivores.

Our Historical data:
– We have now completed 19 survey dives at Rose Bay since our first survey here on 21/11/2022.
– We have recorded 74 species at this site.
– Our most commonly recorded species at this site are Gymnodoris suggens (53% of dives), Phyllidia coelestis (47% dives), Jorunna funebris (42% of dives) and, Hypselodoris bullockii (37% of dives).
– The most prevalent species we record here are Gymnodoris suggens (2/dive), Hypselodoris bullockii (1.9/dive), Haloa wallisii (1.7/dive) and, Hypselodoris emma (1.6/dive).
– This is the first time we have recorded Dendrodoris denisoni or Philinopsis lineolata in the Whitsundays and the first time we have recorded Elysia sp. 42 on any of our dives.
– Our last survey at this site was on 24/12/2025.

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

TOTAL SPECIES SIGHTED: 7

DIVE IMAGES GALLERY

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