Gunsmoke - No 8/29 - Our Ledge

[Oceandvr]

Thanks for posting those photos! The corals in the photos are tube corals (Cladocora arbuscula) - they're common in the Gulf. The area looks relatively healthy, which is really great to see after the bad red tide last year. Looks like a spot to make a return trip to.

 

[Missdirected]

More pics. Please keep in mind some of the pics may not be great but they do give divers an idea of what can be found here. If I have mislabeled any photo, please be so kind as to let me know.

Anyone know the proper name for this first pic?

WhiteSpotted Soapfish

Red Grouper w/ a gun in the lower left

Cubbyu – we saw three separate groups of these. There were about 30 to a group

Snakefish – at first I thought this may be a Sand Diver but the shape of the mouth says otherwise. These are only occasionally spotted here

Just to show how healthy this ledge

Sponge

Sponge

Jacknife juvenile – lots of these many hanging out in or near the sponges

 

[Missdirected]

One more thing, it is GulfCoastDivers fault if some of the pics are too large for your screen.

 

[Missdirected]

Small Red Grouper w/ encrusting coral. Note the brittle star in the lower left. Border on left, midway down, shows another juvenile jacknife fish

???

SeaRod/Fire Coral

Atlantic Mushroom

Tube Sponge

 

[GulfCoastdiver]

One more thing, it is GulfCoastDivers fault if some of the pics are too large for your screen.

Did I do that

 

[Oceandvr]

The first photo appears to be a type of sea mat/zoanthid (Palythoa sp.), which I haven't seen in the Gulf. I think they're more common in Keys. What color were they (hard to tell in the photo)? And I think you were right with your first ID of the sand diver.

The staghorn coral isn't coral - that appears to be a type of algae. Did you touch it, by chance? If it was soft or squishy (sp?), it's probably algae or a sponge or something other than a coral.

The solitary polyp is Scolymia sp., common names are artichoke coral or solitary disk coral or mushroom coral. That's an awesome find! Ok, now I have to go with you guys to this site next time!

 

[TheRedHead]

Actually, the staghorn coral could be algae.

 

[Oceandvr]

Just to follow-up on the solitary polyp...it may be a mushroom coral (corallimorph). Did you notice if it had a solid base?

 

[Missdirected]

The first pic was white. Anything you know would be appreciated.

So you think my friend was right on the Atlantic Mushroom? Cool. We seen several of those They have themselves in the ground pretty good.

As I said this place was a major find.

P.S Thanks friend. Dunno if she wants to say who she is.

 

[Missdirected]

Just seen your last post. The mushroom was velvety soft on top, hard underneath and firmly in the ground. BTW, the color in was vibrant in person. It was rather pretty.

As for the stag stuff - it isn't soft per say. It is very bendible. I guess I would liken it to a straw - does that help??