This was our second dive for the day. We were able to get closer to the small schooling fish, but still can't identify them. We saw somne Ocean Jackets feeding off the end of the pier, and we went to check on the Pale Octopus in the tyre between the pier and Elsa's reef. Kirsty found a beautiful small fish that we think is a juvenile Barber Perch, and I spotted a couple of Castelnau's Wrasse. They're easy to identify because of their peculiar bobbing motion when swimming.
Schooling fish under Rye Pier.
Schooling fish under Rye Pier.
Schooling fish under Rye Pier.
Red Bait Crabs are often found hiding amongst the growth on pier pylons. It mainly eats sponges and bryozoans.
William Batchelor diving under Rye Pier.
Red Mullet (Goatfish) have two long barbels under their chin, used as feelers to probe the sea floor for prey. There are around 60 species in this family, and most are referred to as Red Mullet, as they all turn bright red at night, when stressed, or after death. They can vary in colour from white to brown. The species most commonly seen in Port Phillip would probably be the Bluespotted Goatfish, which has a dark stripe running from they eyes down the side to the base of the tail, as well as thin blue lines or spots also running down the body.
The Biscuit Star can be found in a variety of colours, but will generally have 6 plates along the edge of the body between each arm tip.
The Ocean jacket has an elongated oval body, with three dark stripes running along the sides. These stripes become more indistinct upon reaching maturity. The largest species of leatherjacketets in temperate waters, juveniles are often seen in estuaries and sheltered bays. Adults tend to stay in deeper waters.
The male Six-spined Leatherjacket has three pairs of prominent spines on each side of the base of the tail. Females and juveniles have much smaller spines, if they are present at all. Commonly seen in seagrass beds, adults are also seen on sheltered reefs. Males are much more colourful than females.
Kirsty Batchelor, diving under Rye Pier.
Juvenile Gunn's Leatherjackets are common under piers. Adults change to a longer body shape, and are often a green or yellowish brown, and are not seen as frequently as the juveniles.
The Pale Octopus grows to around 35 cm in length. It has a relatively large body, short arms, and is normally a reddish brown to orange colour. It is often seen on sand amongst sponges and gorgonian corals. It can form spiky protuberances all over its body, radically changing its appearance.
The Pale Octopus grows to around 35 cm in length. It has a relatively large body, short arms, and is normally a reddish brown to orange colour. It is often seen on sand amongst sponges and gorgonian corals. It can form spiky protuberances all over its body, radically changing its appearance.
The largest of all stingrays, the Smooth Stingray can be as long as 4.3 metres and weigh up to 350 kg. They can be quite inquisitive, and it isn't uncommon for them to circle around divers several times, and come back again and again. Not aggressive, but they do have a large venomous spine on the tail. We often see small schools of Silverbellies swimming with them.
There are about 20 species of Bullseyes. They have small dorsal fins, and their large eyes are ideally suited for locating their planktonic prey at night. They are generally found in shallow water under ledges and near the mouth of caves.
The male Six-spined Leatherjacket has three pairs of prominent spines on each side of the base of the tail. Females and juveniles have much smaller spines, if they are present at all. Commonly seen in seagrass beds, adults are also seen on sheltered reefs. Males are much more colourful than females.
Castelnau's Wrasse is found around seagrasses and brown seaweeds, and is often mistaken for the juvenile stage of other Wrasse species. Colours can vary from almost black to bright yellow-green. It usually has 4 broken bars across the body, and can best be identified by its unusual swimming pattern - it swims diagonally up from the sea bed and then sinks back down in a bobbing motion. It grows to 15 cm.
We think that this is a smaller juvenile Barber Perch, due to the dark head and pinkish body. Adults grow to around 26 cm.
We think that this is a smaller juvenile Barber Perch, due to the dark head and pinkish body. Adults grow to around 26 cm.
The Senator Wrasse is a very inquisitive fish. Males have a green background, with yellow and purple bands running along each side, whereas females and juveniles are a reddish colour. They grow to around 25 cm, and are often seen in a weedy habitat.
The Senator Wrasse is a very inquisitive fish. Males have a green background, with yellow and purple bands running along each side, whereas females and juveniles are a reddish colour. They grow to around 25 cm, and are often seen in a weedy habitat.
Castelnau's Wrasse is found around seagrasses and brown seaweeds, and is often mistaken for the juvenile stage of other Wrasse species. Colours can vary from almost black to bright yellow-green. It usually has 4 broken bars across the body, and can best be identified by its unusual swimming pattern - it swims diagonally up from the sea bed and then sinks back down in a bobbing motion. It grows to 15 cm.
Castelnau's Wrasse is found around seagrasses and brown seaweeds, and is often mistaken for the juvenile stage of other Wrasse species. Colours can vary from almost black to bright yellow-green. It usually has 4 broken bars across the body, and can best be identified by its unusual swimming pattern - it swims diagonally up from the sea bed and then sinks back down in a bobbing motion. It grows to 15 cm.
Juvenile Gunn's Leatherjackets are common under piers. Adults change to a longer body shape, and are often a green or yellowish brown, and are not seen as frequently as the juveniles.
Very well-camouflaged, if you can find them the Big-belly seahorse is easy to recognise, with a number of tassels on their head. They can be brown, white, yellow, grey, orange, or have a mottled colouration. As with other seahorses, the male carries the fertilised eggs in a brood pouch on the belly. A pregnancy lasts about 30 days.
Very well-camouflaged, if you can find them the Big-belly seahorse is easy to recognise, with a number of tassels on their head. They can be brown, white, yellow, grey, orange, or have a mottled colouration. As with other seahorses, the male carries the fertilised eggs in a brood pouch on the belly. A pregnancy lasts about 30 days.
Australian Salmon are not closely related to the true Salmon from the Northern hemisphere. There are two species (East Australian Salmon, and West Australian Salmon), which can't easily be distinguished by external appearance, and both species can be found in Port Phillip. Adults reach around 90 cm, and can be found in very large schools.
Australian Salmon are not closely related to the true Salmon from the Northern hemisphere. There are two species (East Australian Salmon, and West Australian Salmon), which can't easily be distinguished by external appearance, and both species can be found in Port Phillip. Adults reach around 90 cm, and can be found in very large schools.
Divers: Kirsty Batchelor, William Batchelor, Peter Batchelor
Weather/Sea: 5 Kts Southerly.
