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The common seadragon is endemic to Australian and insular coastal waters of the eastern Indian Ocean northern Southern Ocean and the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It can generally be found along the entire southern coastline of the Australian continent, including Tasmania and other offshore islands.
- Diet
- Reproduction
- Conservation Status
- Captivity and Breeding Efforts
- Sources
Sea dragon mouths lack teeth, yet these animals are carnivores. They use their snouts to suck up larval fish and small crustaceans, such as plankton, mysid shrimp, and amphipods. Presumably, numerous species would eat sea dragons, but their camouflage is sufficient to protect them from most attacks.
Except for mating, sea dragons are solitary animals. They reach sexual maturity by one to two years of age, at which time the males court females. A female produces up to 250 pink eggs. They are fertilized when she deposits them onto the male's tail. The eggs attach to a region called the brood patch, which supplies eggs with oxygen until they hatc...
Both weedy and leafy sea dragons are listed as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. There is insufficient data to evaluate the conservation status of the ruby sea dragon. Some sea dragons get washed up by storms. While fishing bycatchand aquarium collection do affect the species, these effects are not believed to greatly impa...
Like seahorses, sea dragons are difficult to keep in captivity. While it's not illegal to own one, Australia prohibits their capture, only granting permits for research and conservation efforts. You can view these fascinating animals at most large aquariums and zoos. Researchers have successfully bred the common or weedy sea dragon. While Ocean Rid...
Branshaw-Carlson, Paula (2012). "Seadragon husbandry in the new millennium: Lessons learned from the past will create a sustainable future" (PDF). 2012 International Aquarium Congress 9–14 Septembe...Connolly, R. M. (September 2002). "Patterns of movement and habitat use by leafy seadragons tracked ultrasonically". Journal of Fish Biology. 61 (3): 684–695. doi:10.1111/j.1095-8649.2002.tb00904.xMartin-Smith, K. & Vincent, A. (2006): Exploitation and trade of Australian seahorses, pipehorses, sea dragons and pipefishes (Family Syngnathidae). Oryx, 40: 141-151.Morrison, S. & Storrie, A. (1999). Wonders of Western Waters: The Marine Life of South-Western Australia. CALM. p. 68. ISBN 0-7309-6894-4.- Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D.
sea dragon, any of three species of small slow-moving bony fishes classified in the genera Phyllopteryx and Phycodurus (family Syngnathidae, order Gasterosteiformes) two of which are known for their ornate camouflage. All three species occur in temperate rocky reef environments along Australia’s southern coast.
- John P. Rafferty
The common seadragon or weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) is a marine fish related to the seahorses. Adult common seadragons are a reddish colour, with yellow and purple markings; they have small leaf-like appendages that resemble kelp fronds providing camouflage and a number of short spines for protection.
Sea dragons reproduce in a similar fashion to seahorses, with the males carrying the eggs! Unlike seahorses, their dragon counterparts have no pouch. Instead, the male carries his young on a brood patch under his tail.
May 27, 2024 · Sea dragons and seahorses are closely related, but sea dragons only have two species, live in Australia, and look like drifting seaweed. Seahorses are found all over the world, have nearly 50 species, and have a bony appearance.
Unlike seahorses however, the seadragons do not have a pouch for rearing the young. Instead, male seadragons carry the eggs fixed to the underside of the tail. The standard name of the species in Australia is 'Common Seadragon', but many people know the fish by the name 'Weedy Seadragon'.
