Chevron Barracuda (Sphyraena putnamiae)
The Chevron Barracuda is a tropical fish species that is a member of the ‘Barracudas’ family Sphyraenidae. Barracudas (also commonly referred to as ‘Sea-pikes’ in Australia) are very elongate fishes with a long cylindrical body, pointed snout and protruding lower jaw. They have large mouths which are equipped with long sharp edged teeth of unequal size.
The Chevron Barracuda has a silver coloured body with about 20 chevron shaped black bars along the entire body and the caudal fin is dusky with a black margin. The Chevron Barracuda grows to a maximum length of approximately 90 cm.
Location on the S.S Yongala - Most likely between the safety stops at 10 and 5 metres or crusing along the top of the wreck at 15 metres.
Banded Sea Snake (Laticauda colubrina)
Sea snakes belong to a group of snakes related to Cobras. However instead of being terrestrial they prefer water. Sea snakes have adapted to a life in water. They are also rather clumsy when brought ashore stressing how well adapted they are to an aquatic environment. They cannot stay submerged for longer periods so they will often be close to the surface to breathe.
They seldom exceed a length of 6 feet and their heads are relatively small compared to other snakes at the same size. The head of sea snakes are compressed to offer as less resistance to moving in water as possible. The venom from a sea snake is generally more toxic to humans than venom from land snakes. Their fangs are however only 1 inch to 1½ inch long and sea snakes are less efficient at penetrating human skin than terrestrial snakes.
Location on the S.S Yongala - Generally found feeding around the wreck or seen going to and from the surface to breath.
Queensland Groper (Epinephelus lanceolatus)
Giant Queensland gropers are one of the largest of all bony fishes, reaching lengths of up to 3 m and weighing about 600 kg. Juveniles have a large blotched and banded pattern, but as adults become mottled and spotted to evenly dark grey or brownish. The mottled colouration blends with the surroundings, providing good camouflage for ambush hunting.
They have a rounded tail. Adult giant Queensland gropers’ stocky shape and brown colouration give them a nearly potato-like profile as they rest motionless on the bottom or hover in mid-water, using only tiny fin movements to maintain their position. They have a curious nature and will often approach divers at close range. Although not generally considered dangerous, large Queensland gropers should be treated with caution and should not be hand fed by divers etc.
Location on the S.S Yongala - Most likely found at a depth of 15 to 25 metres around the bow. (Ask us why are biggest resident grouper is called V.W..?)
Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas)
Bull sharks get their name from their short, blunt snout, as well as their pugnacious disposition and a tendency to head-butt their prey before attacking. They are medium-size sharks, with thick, stout bodies and long pectoral fins. They are gray on top and white below, and the fins have dark tips, particularly on young bull sharks.
They are found cruising the shallow, warm waters of all the world’s oceans. Fast, agile predators, they will eat almost anything they see, including fish, dolphins, and even other sharks. Average life span in the wild:16 years, Size:7 to 11.5 ft (2.1 to 3.4 m), Weight:200 to 500 lbs (90 to 230 kg)
Location on the S.S Yongala - If you are lucky enough to see them, they generally cruise just out of view approx 20 to 30 metres out from the wreck. There are x3 resident bull sharks who sometimes come in and swim close to the wreck so we can view them. Best to look out fromthe wreck intothe blue to have a chance at spotting one of the S.S Yongala’s bull sharks.
Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
The green turtle is a large, weighty sea turtle with a wide, smooth carapace, or shell. It inhabits tropical and subtropical coastal waters around the world and has been observed clambering onto land to sunbathe. Unlike most sea turtles, adult green turtles are herbivorous, feeding on sea grasses and algae. Juvenile green turtles, however, will also eat invertebrates like crabs, jellyfish, and sponges.
It is named not for the color of its shell, which is normally brown or olive depending on its habitat, but for the greenish color of its skin. Weighing up to 700 pounds (317.5 kilograms) green turtles are among the largest sea turtles in the world. Their proportionally small head, which is nonretractable, extends from a heart-shaped carapace that measures up to 5 feet (1.5 meters).
Location on the S.S Yongala - Generally found feeding or sleeping around the wreck or seen going to and from the surface to breath. It is possible to see upto 6 or 7 turtles during a single dive.
Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Hawksbills get their name from their tapered heads, which end in a sharp point resembling a bird’s beak. Not particularly large compared with other sea turtles, hawksbills grow up to about 45 inches (114 centimeters) in shell length and 150 pounds (68 kilograms) in weight. While young, their carapace, or upper shell, is heart-shaped, and as they mature it elongates. Their strikingly colored carapace is serrated and has overlapping scutes, or thick bony plates.
A further distinctive feature is a pair of claws adorning each flipper. Male hawksbills have longer claws, thicker tails, and somewhat brighter coloring than females. Like many sea turtles, hawksbills are a critically endangered species due mostly to human impact. Hawksbill eggs are still eaten around the world despite the turtle’s international protected status, and they are often killed for their flesh and their stunning shells. These graceful sea turtles are also threatened by accidental capture in fishing nets.
Location on the S.S Yongala - Generally found feeding or sleeping around the wreck or seen going to and from the surface to breath. It is possible to see upto 6 or 7 turtles during a single dive.
Loggerhead Sea Turtle (Caretta caretta)
The largest of all hard-shelled turtles—leatherbacks are bigger but have soft shells—loggerheads have massive heads, strong jaws, and a reddish-brown shell, or carapace. Adult males reach about three feet (nearly one meter) in shell length and weigh about 250 pounds (113 kilograms), but large specimens of more than 1,000 pounds (454 kilograms) have been found.
They are primarily carnivores, munching jellyfish, conchs, crabs, and even fish, but will eat seaweed and sargassum occasionally. Sea turtles can move through the water at speeds of up to 15 mi (24 km) per hour.
Location on the S.S Yongala - Generally found feeding or sleeping around the wreck or seen going to and from the surface to breath. It is possible to see upto 6 or 7 turtles during a single dive.
Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)
Humpback whales are known for their magical songs, which travel for great distances through the world’s oceans. These sequences of moans, howls, cries, and other noises are quite complex and often continue for hours on end. Scientists are studying these sounds to decipher their meaning. It is most likely that humpbacks sing to communicate with others and to attract potential mates.They are primarily carnivores, munching jellyfish, conchs, crabs, and even fish, but will eat seaweed and sargassum occasionally.
These whales are found near coastlines, feeding on tiny shrimp-like krill, plankton, and small fish. Humpbacks migrate annually from summer feeding grounds near the poles to warmer winter breeding waters closer to the Equator. Mothers and their young swim close together, often touching one another with their flippers with what appear to be gestures of affection.
Location on the S.S Yongala - Generally found on the way out and back to the S.S Yongala. Seen most days during July to October.
