Latest Additions and Updates

Carijoa cf. smithi

Whether this is Carijoa smithi, C. riisei or a separate species is unknown, but this distinctive branching coral is often found on jetty pylons. Unlike the mat-forming Carijoa cf. multiflora, this species consists of long, pale orange branches, from which the white, 8-tentacled polyps emerge.

Hydrodendron australis

This large bushy hydroid consists of many, largely parallel stolons with single polyps (hydranths) densely arranged along their lengths. Many hydroids are difficult to differentiate without expert examination, but this species is somewhat distinctive because it is branched, but neither tiny, delicate or uniformly pinnate, unlike many of its relatives.

Soldier

Gymnapistes marmoratus

Relatively common in shallow water, the Soldier or South Australian Cobbler spends its time on the sandy seafloor or in seagrass beds, where it has been responsible for many nasty stings from its venomous dorsal spines. A mottled tan and white, this species has a number of large brown blotches over its body, including a thick band across its large eye. It also has two large spines that can protrude out sideways from the nostrils, although they are usually pressed back against the head under its eyes. It is quite similar to many scorpaeniform fishes, particularly the gurnards (family Neosebastidae), from which it can be differentiated primarily by its blunter snout and well-defined eye-band.

Gulf Gurnard Perch

Neosebastes bougainvillii

This gurnard perch is usually found in deeper waters, although ocean conditions can drive it into shallower waters from time to time. It is a reddish-cream in colour, with brown blotches, including a prominent blotch behind the operculum that extends up onto the dorsal fin. It is difficult to distinguish from other Neosebastes species, especially N. scorpaenoides, although its shorter first dorsal spine, reddish colouration, and spotted tail band (as opposed to the more solid band at the rear of N. scorpaenoides' tail) can help to differentiate it.

Pyrgulina pupaeformis

Found in both tropical and temperate Australian waters, this heterobranch snail has a white shell with soft axial ribbing and rounded whorls. It shares similarities with a number of species, most notably Rissoina fasciata, from which it can be distinguished by its comparatively straight ribbing, contrasted against the oblique ribbing of R. fasciata.

Strahlaxius waroona

A rarely encountered mud shrimp, this species is thought to feed in soft sediment. It is mostly white to pinkish in colour with a bluntly tapered, but serrated, rostrum.

Pygmy Thornback Skate

Dentiraja flindersi

Previously only recorded from depths of over 20m, little is known of this rarely-encountered species. Its dense cover of white spots distinguish it from most other skates, while its relatively blunt snout is the best way to differentiate it from its relative, the Whitespotted Skate (Dentiraja cerva), another deeper water species.

Silver Spot

Chironemus maculosus

One of two kelpfish species found in SA, this shy fish is rarely seen due to its camouflage. It is a mottled brown and white, and is notable for the large silver spot on its operculum, which distinguishes it from the Western Kelpfish.

Stenochiton longicymba

One of the most elongated species of chiton globally, this species is well-adapted to its habitat on the blades and root sheaths of Posidonia seagrass. It is usually hidden below the sand during the day, but climbs up the seagrass blade at night to feed on epiphytic algae. It can be variable, but is usually dark in colour, with a pale girdle and white broken dorsal stripe. It is most similar to Stenochiton pilsbryanus, with which it shares host species, but is darker and more elongate.

Decussated Tellen

Pseudarcopagia victoriae

A uniform whitish bivalve, with distinct radial and concentric striation, it is less squat than many other clam-like bivalves found in SA. This, along with its large size and coarse striation help to distinguish it from similar species, although expert examination is often required.