Invasive tunicates

[waterkitty]

Nice...I am working on writing some proposals as we speak. And I think the trip to the Hamptons would be a nice reward for all the work involved.

Hey Linda,

If you can get a research grant for that, let me know

Jen and I can escort you directly to several places where you are sure to find your tunicate, and several places in the Hamptons with extended happy hours

BTW- I got your PM- I'm going to go through my photo archives over the weekend and will get the pics togrther. I'm also doing a couple of dives in Montauk on Saturday, and will hopefully get a couple more photos for you.

Scott

 

[ScubaNorth]

ScubaNorth,
Why yes, they do grow on mussels. Quite abundantly, as a matter of fact. Underneath the GSO dock here some large mussels are completely overgrown to the point where it seems their ability to open their valves for feeding may be limited. Alas, that is one more thing I have set out to study. Thanks for the observation. Looks like I really have to make a trip up there and check it out. What depth did you see the mussels? Is OGB pretty nice for a beginner diver? I am still getting the hang of it. But gosh darn it, it's fun.
Peace,
Kitty

OGB is perfekt for beginners. These guys were at about 30 feet give or take 5 feet. OGB doesn't get to deep, well at least not within swimming distance. I am diving Bass Rocks this weekend and will keep an eye open. Maybe I'll even have enough free hands to bring a camera along. And as an added bonus there was a Torpedo Ray hanging out there.

 

[Cecil]

Kitty it looks like it has moved to Folly Cove. We saw quite a bit this last Sunday.

 

[archman]

Cecil, is it the encrusting stuff in the upper left of the photo?

 

[Cecil]

Yes that the stuff. I did not take a picture of it per se, this shot had the most.

 

[Cecil]

Well it looks like it has moved as far north as Nubble Lighthouse in York Maine. This shot was taken two weeks ago.

 

[MSilvia]

I saw some of it off Sandy Beach in Cohasset, MA a few weeks ago too.

 

[waterkitty]

Thank you for the pics!
I hadn't realized this thread was getting more replies...I am honored...haha. RIOceanographer alerted me to the new responses because I have been rather busy with said research, I haven't visited SB in a while. I am glad everyone is still divin' and having fun. As for me, I have to get my butt back in the water.
The tunicates look quite bright in that last picture...what is the strobe set up on your underwater camera and about how deep was this?
Peace!

 

[waterkitty]

Cecil, this is an interesting shot. Do you have a strobe for your camera? I think it's interesting that there is a sea star hanging out on the surface of this stuff. :14:

Well it looks like it has moved as far north as Nubble Lighthouse in York Maine. This shot was taken two weeks ago.

 

[Cecil]

Internal strobe on a small Sony. The Blood Star may have been passing through. There's also an anemone growing through it. I did only saw this one patch but I can't say I was looking all the time.