Marengo rockpools

Cool Synoicum Species At Marengo Rockpools

January 30, 2022 by Jade Craven

We were exploring Marengo at low tide when I found this awesome looking ascidian under a ledge. I was so excited when I found it; I hadn’t seen anything like it before.

I had a quick look at The Marine Life of South Australia and thought that it may be Botrylloides perspicuus. In reality, I had no idea. Trying to identify ascidians based on a superficial glance at photos rarely works.

I put it on Facebook. Fortunately, there were brilliant minds who were able to help. It was suggested that is was a Synoicum. One person suggested that it was “a lot like Synoicum sacculum, but not the same brilliant red.” Another pointed out that Synoicum bowerbanki had been found at Blanket Bay.

According to Wikipedia, Synoicuma is a genus of colonial sea squirts, tunicates in the family Polyclinidae.

It turns out that is was quite unusual to find an ascidian at low tide. A local normally finds a lot of them in the reefs near Marengo. I’ve yet to explore here, as I’m not a strong swimmer. We tried to return later to get better photos but couldn’t find the spot.

Decorator Crab at Marengo

May 21, 2016 by Jade Craven Leave a Comment

I’ve never really been that interested in crabs. Sure, they are fun to photograph but they didn’t fascinate me the way that other animals do.

That is, until I saw this decorator crab.

This is the coolest thing ever. It is a group of species of crab that use seaweed as a form of camouflage. According to Australian Museum,

The Decorator Crab’s carapace is covered with hooks to attach algae, seaweed or anything in the environment that will assist in camouflage.

When I first saw this species I thought these photos would suffice for identification. Alas, it wasn’t until I got home and spent $20 on a 60 page book about crabs that I realized that these pictures didn’t show enough information. Oops! I now know for next time.

Looking forward to finding more of these.

Autumn Visit To Marengo Rockpools

May 12, 2016 by Jade Craven Leave a Comment

Another trip to Apollo Bay, another visit to Marengo. We aren’t predictable, are we?

With each visit though we learn more things. I change what I look for. Seth doesn’t – he just tries to find as many crabs as possible.

Visiting Marengo Rockpools Near Apollo Bay

August 9, 2015 by Jade Craven Leave a Comment

In 2014, I went to Apollo Bay with my parents and nephew. They had visited here a couple of months earlier. A relative has a unit there and she lets my parents stay there occasionally.

I had recommended they go to a number of places, including here. This had proven to be a real hit; they saw a magpie fish and a number of other critters. This visit, we mostly saw crabs and starfish. I’m unable to identify them as yet.

I’m not able to provide extensive commentary as the trip took place over a year ago. I do think that this place warrants multiple visits, over different times on different days. I could easily spend hours photographing the rock formations. It’s a place I’m very keen to return to.