Weedy Seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) Introduction: The weedy seadragon, Phyllopteryx taeniolatus, is the only member of the genus Phyllopteryx and family Syngnathidae which is also known as common seadragon or Lucas' Sea-dragon. The family includes also seahorses, pipefish and pipe horses. Weedy seadragons are one of only two living species of seadragons, the second is known as the leafy seadragon (Phycodurus eques). The weedy seadragons can live for up to 10 years in the wild. The species has been selected as marine emblem of the Australian State of Victoria since 2002. Distribution and habitats: The weedy seadragon is endemic to the southern Australian temperate marine waters. It occurs in the coastal waters from Port Stephens in New South Wales down to the southern coast of Australia including Tasmania, and up to Geraldton in Western Australia. This weedy seadragon inhabits variety of habitats including shallow waters of depths of relatively shallow water to up to 50 meters deep whereas the …show more content…
Adults of seadragons usually are reddish in color with yellow spots and purple markings. They have leaf-like appendages which occur along their body that provide camouflage as well as a number of short spines for protection. Males have narrower bodies and are darker than females whose bodies are deeper and compressed. Seadragons have a long dorsal fin along the back and small pectoral fins on either side of the neck, which provide balance. Weedy seadragons reach up to approximately 45cm in length with an average length of about 30 cm. It may worth mentioning that weedy seadragons are easily injured during handling. Feeding habits and predation: Seadragons feed mainly on tiny crustaceans such as mysids and sea lice. Their snouts are equipped with special muscles which enable widening the snout and hence capturing different sizes of food and passing it into their toothless