jmartincrossley's Favorites
Photos / Sounds
What
Leafy Seadragon (Phycodurus eques)Observer
jmartincrossleyPlace
PrivateDescription
Spotter credits to M. Kammermann
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Scorpaena vesperalisObserver
jmartincrossleyDescription
6-7cm TL, 7m depth in limestone reef on night dive.
Leading dorsal spines shorter than mid dorsal spines. Dorsal fin floppy not rigid. Black blotch on rear of first dorsal at spines 8-10. Skin protrusions along lateral line. Long bushy protrusions above non-protruding eyes (no ridge behind eyes).
Made frequent short burst, then resting bold on pectorals, before next purposeful move - not fleeing. Quite different behaviour to young Western Red's previously seen by self.
Dwarf Red Scorpionfish p66 The Perth Coast Fish Book (Whisson & Hoschke 2023).
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Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus albacares)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
Two. Each around 70cm. Body shape, upturned snout, uniform colouration (no stripes or spots). Wary, unable to approach any closer -25-30m away.
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Bronze Whaler (Carcharhinus brachyurus)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
White underside, grey stripe through eye, no dorsal ridge
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Bludger (Turrum gymnostethus)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
Ref: Fishes of Ningaloo, Jenkins, D. 2019
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Southern Pygmy Leatherjacket (Brachaluteres jacksonianus)Observer
jmartincrossley
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Tubemouth (Siphonognathus argyrophanes)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
Slender body compared to visually similar Bearded Leatherjacket
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Marbled Parrotfish (Leptoscarus vaigiensis)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
Female? One of a pair circling each other in a courtship manner. Very prominent top lip and angular chin.
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Marbled Parrotfish (Leptoscarus vaigiensis)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
Male? One of a pair circling each other in a courtship manner. Very prominent top lip and angular chin.
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Longsnout Pipefish (Vanacampus poecilolaemus)Observer
glen_whissonDescription
~20cm
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Morwongs, Hawkfishes, and Allies (Suborder Cirrhitioidei)Observer
davemmdaveDescription
Juvenile (almost certainly, whatever the species), BUT species suggestion is VERY tentative.
Closely circling an outer pile of the new jetty at Rapid Bay.
First observed resting facing me on some smaller algae growing on side of the pile, some metres up, as I was ascending at dive's end.
Quite camera-shy, constantly circling the pile to hide from me, but didn't depart from that jetty pile until it realised how persistent I was. At which point it made a mid water dash for the nearest shoreward pile, so I gave up.
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Tommyfish (Limnichthys fasciatus)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
~4-5cm - hard to judge as amazingly fast
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Kekeno (New Zealand Fur Seal) (Arctocephalus forsteri)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
Pointed nose c.f. Sealion's more blunt snout. Hung upside down at the surface with tail above water and flippers sticking out, swiveling its head around watching us and fish in the reef around us, and probably hoping for a tasty penguin.
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Threadfin Reefgoby (Priolepis nuchifasciata)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
In barge wreck at 14m, night dive
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Leafy Seadragon (Phycodurus eques)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
brooding
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Brownspotted Wrasse (Notolabrus parilus)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
~14-16cm TL, 3m depth during dusk/night dive on limestone reef.
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Western Roughy (Optivus agrammus)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
At base of sea wall, 4m depth, night dive. +10cm TL. Dorsal, anal and caudal fins pinkish. Peduncle wide in proportion to caudal fin. Photo doesn't capture upturned mouth.
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Red Seaperch (Hypoplectrodes australis)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
20m depth
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Deep Velvetfish (Kanekonia queenslandica)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
~3cm TL, 2 specimens within 2m of each other. At 10m depth over sand adjacent to limestone reef, on night dive.
Credit due to Mike Kammermann for spotting it.
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Cryptic Bearded Goby (Barbuligobius boehlkei)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
10m depth, at reef margin over sand on night dive.
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Western Crested Pipefish (Mitotichthys meraculus)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
10-12cm TL
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Painted Stinkfish (Synchiropus papilio)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
Body changed colour moving from protection of the seagrass to the sand.
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Raggedfin Parrotfish (Chlorurus rhakoura)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
+40cm (compare size to Buffalo Bream/Drummer in the photo), distinct white beak, red eye, uniformly purple/brown, ventral reddening. Very long dorsal and anal fins. Slight reddening of pectoral bases and edge of operculum, prominent caudal fin rays.
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Sand Tiger Shark (Carcharias taurus)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
2.5m female, white scratch marks across head, upper right pectoral, right flank and upper caudal lobe.
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Western Rock Blackfish (Girella tephraeops)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
Inside cave, 15m depth. Not so good image resolution because of the low light.
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Genus PlesiastreaObserver
jmartincrossleyDescription
6m depth, single big coral head in sea grass field.
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Hammerhead Sharks (Genus Sphyrna)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
+20 circling
Same annual aggregation of Scalloped Hammerheads
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Deep Velvetfish (Kanekonia queenslandica)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
In 9m, over sand on night dive.
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False Tasmanian Blenny (Parablennius postoculomaculatus)Observer
jmartincrossley
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Longfinned Worm Eel (Scolecenchelys breviceps)Observer
jmartincrossleyDescription
~25cm, as thin as a pencil
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