OP
Ardy
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Tulamben - Any new ideas or macro stuff to photograph?
- Thread starter Ardy
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Luko
Contributor
Bob , we didn't get the chance to meet since I seldom came at LDC, they'd picked me at TTT where I usually stay. I am now on my way to Alor.
There is a very interesting and big nudibranch now that you can't miss, it's the hot critter in Tulamben currently a Phyllodesmium Rudmani that I spotted first 25m down at the back of the wreck, I could hardly believe it was this one!!!
Normally it lives in colonies of xenia coral, not on bare black sand.I think it could have stayed unoiticed for a while but fortunately the day before a russian photogapher posted on Facebook a photo of an almost similar looking nudi he also found on the wreck, still not the same specie.
The morning after I asked Uji to inquire with the divemaster and try to find it on your own. When I saw that big thing looking like a xenia coral I though I would look into it to find the "russian" nudi... surprizing the coral bush had two rhinophores pointing vertically : WOW!!! that was it a 7cm Rudmani exposed. I called Uji and didn't understand at first hand it was a nudibranch not a coral.... ut talking about nudi serendipity, I found a nudibranch I was not looking for, I cound not find the other nudi the russian photog reported.
Some branchers say they can quit from diving after seeing a Rudmani. Don't let this opportunity of seeing it go by!More importantly there are two very rare nudis in a 25m meters zone nearby the wreck, I still didn't find the other one, but I've been told it's around 20-30m further way past the Rudmani, in the direction of the wreck;
There is a very interesting and big nudibranch now that you can't miss, it's the hot critter in Tulamben currently a Phyllodesmium Rudmani that I spotted first 25m down at the back of the wreck, I could hardly believe it was this one!!!
Normally it lives in colonies of xenia coral, not on bare black sand.I think it could have stayed unoiticed for a while but fortunately the day before a russian photogapher posted on Facebook a photo of an almost similar looking nudi he also found on the wreck, still not the same specie.
The morning after I asked Uji to inquire with the divemaster and try to find it on your own. When I saw that big thing looking like a xenia coral I though I would look into it to find the "russian" nudi... surprizing the coral bush had two rhinophores pointing vertically : WOW!!! that was it a 7cm Rudmani exposed. I called Uji and didn't understand at first hand it was a nudibranch not a coral.... ut talking about nudi serendipity, I found a nudibranch I was not looking for, I cound not find the other nudi the russian photog reported.
Some branchers say they can quit from diving after seeing a Rudmani. Don't let this opportunity of seeing it go by!More importantly there are two very rare nudis in a 25m meters zone nearby the wreck, I still didn't find the other one, but I've been told it's around 20-30m further way past the Rudmani, in the direction of the wreck;
Wira Wijoga
New
Hi Ardy,
Don't know if anyone told you yet but these past couple of weeks been a kind mini season of Rhinopias as they seems to be seen everywhere, I have some friends (guides) posting images of them from very recent trips out in Tulamben and Padang Bai, normally those who resides there from around the area would know where is where currently. My self, i went to padang bai last weekend and apart from all the nudi branches, we saw cockatoo waspfishes, fingered dragonets, octopuses, mini cuttle fishes and two frogfishes (painted and warty) and two rhinopias (paddle flap and Weedy).
Good luck !
Don't know if anyone told you yet but these past couple of weeks been a kind mini season of Rhinopias as they seems to be seen everywhere, I have some friends (guides) posting images of them from very recent trips out in Tulamben and Padang Bai, normally those who resides there from around the area would know where is where currently. My self, i went to padang bai last weekend and apart from all the nudi branches, we saw cockatoo waspfishes, fingered dragonets, octopuses, mini cuttle fishes and two frogfishes (painted and warty) and two rhinopias (paddle flap and Weedy).
Good luck !
OP
Ardy
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Hi Guys - Had a minor disaster halfway to the airport, I realised I had left my camera in my partners car as I was running late (as usual). Had to reschedule the trip to the next day.
However had a great trip, the sea flattened as soon as I arrived and I saw everything on my wish list apart from bumble bee shrimp, which my guide (Tama) found but it slipped off the rock and he couldn't find it again.
Wira we found 2 Rhinopias one grey/pinkish (I'm colour blind) and the other smaller one red. I've not gone through the ID book to see all the nudi's but did shoot the doughnut including rhinophores out and eggs, costasiella, skeleton shrimps (looked like 2 of them were bonking!), juv. hairy frogfish and lots more.
Will post a few photo's here and names. There was one nudi Tama was getting very excited about but he could not remember the name. Will post photo.
As a young guide he was excellent and picked up lots in the 2-4mm range.
Luko - Did not see the Rudmani but your photo's are great.
Thanks all for your help guys - LDR was a great stay, although very few English speaking guests which surprised me a bit.
However had a great trip, the sea flattened as soon as I arrived and I saw everything on my wish list apart from bumble bee shrimp, which my guide (Tama) found but it slipped off the rock and he couldn't find it again.
Wira we found 2 Rhinopias one grey/pinkish (I'm colour blind) and the other smaller one red. I've not gone through the ID book to see all the nudi's but did shoot the doughnut including rhinophores out and eggs, costasiella, skeleton shrimps (looked like 2 of them were bonking!), juv. hairy frogfish and lots more.
Will post a few photo's here and names. There was one nudi Tama was getting very excited about but he could not remember the name. Will post photo.
As a young guide he was excellent and picked up lots in the 2-4mm range.
Luko - Did not see the Rudmani but your photo's are great.
Thanks all for your help guys - LDR was a great stay, although very few English speaking guests which surprised me a bit.
pughio83
Contributor
Hi guys,
Which site in tulamben to find the doughnut nudi? I looked all over for them to no avail yesterday! And rhinopias? I am diving tulamben in a couple of days again. Amed tomorrow. Thanks
---------- Post added August 27th, 2015 at 12:55 PM ----------
Ps the rudmani nudi looks great. I have been looked amongst the xenias which seem to be everywhere but not seen much. Will check the 25m area of the back of the wreck tomorrow!
Which site in tulamben to find the doughnut nudi? I looked all over for them to no avail yesterday! And rhinopias? I am diving tulamben in a couple of days again. Amed tomorrow. Thanks
---------- Post added August 27th, 2015 at 12:55 PM ----------
Ps the rudmani nudi looks great. I have been looked amongst the xenias which seem to be everywhere but not seen much. Will check the 25m area of the back of the wreck tomorrow!
Luko
Contributor
yes donuts are on Melasti Right side looking at the se;Rudmani nudi, somebody replied to me on facebook he found it a bit deeper 27m 4 days after me, maybe in the 30m now (or gone forever...).There seem to have intersting nudis in thiis portion seldom searched forr macro, otherr than this one there was a beautiful flashy colored Poindimiei and a very rare Phyllo Lizardensis (very similar to Rudmani) around.
pughio83
Contributor
Thanks guys I shall have a look. Am I right in thinking melasti is the next dive site along from segara southwards? I shall also head to back of wreck down slope to 30m to see if any fancy nudis are down there!
Luko
Contributor
yes Melasti is east next to segara, but you need to dive right hanside of Melasti facing the sea to find the donuts. Nearer to Segara you won't find much.
pughio83
Contributor
Thanks. Did go to the right and I searched nearly every feather hydroid but didn't see one. That said it was one of the best nudi dives....teeming with them everywhere just no donut. Not quite sure how big they are and whether they are actually rare even for tulamben?
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