COMMENTS & OBSERVATIONS

Continuing N/NW winds means the bays are calm, if a little on the dirty side. Due to a very small tidal range between the very early morning high and the low, we decided to dive on the outgoing tide for best surface conditions. We headed towards the fringing reef area where the rocks are covered with algae and were not disappointed, finding the Philinopsis speciosa almost straight away. We also found Elysiaville today with lots of specimens observed. The 3 Cerberilla sp. 03 were recorded in the bay whereas previously we have found this species “ around the corner” . The majority of the critters were very small, with the 3rd Cerberilla even smaller than the first 2 (around 2mm, rather than 4mm). The Tritoniopsis elegans was observed on the sand between patches of rock, whilst the Hypselodoris bullocki and the phyllidiids were the only species found amongst the coral. Once we ventured around the corner, the visibility dropped right off so we retreated back to the bay as it was time to turn around anyway.

Taxonomic data:
Eight of the fourteen species sighted were nudibranchs, four being dorids comprising 2 x porostome (suctorial feeders), 1 x phanerobranchs (non-retractile gill), 1 x cryptobranch (retractable gill); and four cladobranch comprising 3 x aeolids, 0 x arminids and 1 x dendronotinids. Three sacoglossans (all Elysia) and three headshield slugs (all Aglajidae) completed the count. A total of 41 specimens were sighted.

Historical Data:
– We have now completed 24 survey dives at this site since our first survey here on 12/06/2018.
– We have recorded 57 species at this site.
– The species we record most often at this site are Gymnodoris citrina (46% of dives), Elysia sp. 30 (25%), Samla bicolor (25%), and Hypselodoris tryoni (21%).
– The most prevalent species we record here are Elysia sp. 31 (1 per dive), Gymnodoris citrina (0.9 per dive), Elysia sp. 30 (0.8 per dive), and Samla bicolor (0.5 per dive). 
– This is the first occasion on which we have recorded Elysia sp. 11, Gymnodoris sp. 33, Hypselodoris bullockii, Niparaya sp. 10 or Philinopsis speciosa at this site.
– Our last survey at this site was on 23/10/2025.

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

TOTAL SPECIES SIGHTED: 14

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