1 of 4 or 5 individuals checking me out while spearfishing at cheese and onion rocks, Makara.
Six or so in one specific spot at the nice swim through. One was very large. Annoyingly they shelter very quickly once disturbed. There were eggs all over the place.
I also saw one closer to shore.
~1 - 2.5 cm long
~2 - 3 m subtidal
All grazing together, on a big grey sponge on deep reef. First time I've seen their eggs.
~8 m subtidal
Lots of bits around the place. No nectophores in sight! EIther Praya or Rosacea. Also a bit of dead or dying salp.
Still quite abundant.
Also saw P. milleri, Variables, gold margineds, and T. flemingi.
A metre +, this PM, Wellington Harbour, opposite Te Papa. No fin but 5 or so distinct white spots along the rear spine, terminating toward the tail.
under light from UV torch
under light from UV torch
under light from UV torch
Tens of them in a patch of Ulva near shore. Lots off eggs around and some were in mating circles!
The blue edges are really interesting. There are lots of different molluscs that have this like octopus, paua mussels etc. so it must be something to do with the general structure of the skin.
~10-25cm long
~shallow to 3m subtidal
A few small ones were recently washed ashore. Maybe one every 10 metres. Sail direction is right.
Imaged in my aquarium. The hydroid structures are so amazing. The hydroids were covered in brown particles, I think these are the juvenile medusa waiting to bud.
~1-2cm across
Very happy to find this one. Was just at the edge of a random overhang quite deep.
Interesting that it was almost exactly a year ago these were last seen around here.
~1cm long
~3m subtidal