Invertebrates of the summer

[Merry]

2018 didn't seem to bring much relief to our reefs as the water temperature remained warmer than normal. In July, sea-surface reached 78 degrees, while 68 - 69 is about average. Our usually life-rich dive spots are silty, sad and barren.

Here's a collection some inverts from the last half of '18. I accidentally perturbed this yellow dorid into demonstrating its chemical defense mechanism.

Part 2...Invertebrates - Merry Passage

 

[agilis]

With surface temps in the high 70s I wonder if tropical fish strays are being observed. Here in NJ we get many in late summer, including Angel Fish, Lookdowns, Trunkfish, and Butterfly Fish that are carried on the Gulf Stream.

 

[drbill]

Living in Avalon near the SE end of Catalina Island, our waters are among the warmest in the Channel Islands. I've always felt this was why we see few nudibranchs in shallow water and often have to dive below 100 fsw to find many.