Weedy dragon fish. Although they appear to be seaweed when drifting in the water column almost motionless, weedy seadragons are actually bony fish. org The common seadragon or weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) is a marine fish related to the seahorses. At the Zoo, they dine almost exclusively on frozen and live mysid shrimp. 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. The weedy sea dragon, also called the common sea dragon, inhabits the waters off south and east Australia. Jun 6, 2008 · Weedy seadragons are found only in Australian coastal waters where they are most commonly found in a thin strip of shallow water along the coastline. All three species occur in temperate rocky reef environments along the southern coast of Australia. The standard name of the species in Australia is 'Common Seadragon', but many people know the fish by the name 'Weedy The sea dragon is 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. Template:? InfoboxRed Weedy Seadragon Scientific Name Seadragon Classification Seadragon Requirement Tap Tap Fish Abyssrium. Jul 31, 2025 · The Sea Dragon rely on their camouflage to protect them from predators and survive by eating tiny prey, such as small fish and crustaceans. These fish may be combined with other fish in the Signature Fish to acquire free shipping over $500. This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen. We will not hold these fish for extended periods after the order is placed, please only purchase if you are ready to receive them immediately!*** *** Weedy Sea Dragons are not covered under our *Fish Happens* Policy. Friends in Saltwater Tank. See full list on marinebio. It feeds as a carnivore, with its primary food consisting of either zooplankton or various types of extremely small crustaceans. Most live in the open ocean, and relatively little is known of their natural history. Unlike seahorses however, the seadragons do not have a pouch for rearing the young. The common seadragon or weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) is a marine fish of the order Syngnathiformes, which also includes the similar pipefishes, seahorses, and trumpetfishes among other species. Mar 3, 2022 · Common Seadragon, Phyllopteryx taeniolatus (Lacépède, 1804)Introduction The species is related to the seahorses. Compared to the leafy sea dragon, weedies have less flamboyant projections and are Jun 20, 2025 · Beryciforms, zeiforms, and lampridiforms are the most primitive groups of spiny-finned fishes. A weedy sea dragon reaches 45cm in length and has a narrow body with a long, tubular snout. It’s also most commonly seen either alone or in pairs. It has two spines above its eye, one spine in front of the eye, and a varying number of leafy appendages, either paired or single, along its body. Instead, male seadragons carry the eggs fixed to the underside of the tail. Like its cousin, the seahorse, the Weedy Seadragon evolved as a slow-moving creature. Weedy seadragons eat tiny mysid shrimp, sea lice, and larval fish, which are small enough to be sucked in with their long tube-shaped snout. uminqjsh5rz0dkcjvnitbmfaxrbzjy8rp9dd3d42p809qn