Classification: 

Kingdom:   Animalia
   Phylum:  Chordata
       Class:   Osteichthyes
       Order: Gasterosteiformes
     Family:  Syngnathidae
     Genus:   Phyllopteryx
  Species:   taeniolatus

Range & habitat:
The Weedy Seadragon is found only in southern Australian waters.  they are known to inhabit rocky reefs, seaweed beds, seagrass meadows and around any structures colonized by seaweed. While they have been found in depths of up to 50 meters, they are more often seen in shallow coastal waters.  Sutherland point is the best location for weedy sea dragons, as well as Cape Solander and the outer reef at Oak Park.

appearance:
Seadragons can be distinguished by their long bodies and many leaf-like appendages on their head and body.  There are two species of seadragons, the "common" or Weedy Seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus)and the Leafy Seadragon (Phycodurus eques). Both species resemble floating pieces of seaweed which can make them difficult to find in their natural habitat.  They are members of the Syngnathidae family -- Slender, long-bodied fishes that are covered with rings of bony armour.  They have long tubular snouts and small mouths, a small dorsal fin and usually a small tail fin.  They have an elongated head and snout, flexed at right angles to its body, suggest those of a horse, as well as a thin prehensile tail which they wrap around seaweed to anchor themselves.  Adult "Weedies" grow to about 46 centimetres in length. The small, leaf-like appendages of Weedy Seadragons come out from the body singularly or in pairs. While colours vary on live animals, adult "Weedies" are usually reddish with yellow spots and purple-blue bars. The "leaves" are often purple in colour with a black border. The body has only a few short spines.

    Photo by:  Cronulla Dive Center

prey:
Seadragons feed on plankton, larval fishes and small shrimp-like crustaceans, called mysids.  Because they have a fused jaw, they feed by sucking their prey rapidly into their mouths.  They must eat continually because they don't have a stomach to aid in digestion.  Because they are weak swimmers, they anchor themselves to the seaweed with their tail while feeding.

reproduction:
Both seadragons and seahorses have unusual breeding habits because the male takes on the entire responsibility of raising the young.  Males carry and incubate the eggs until they hatch.  When male seadragons are ready to receive eggs from the female, the lower half of the tail on the male appears wrinkled. The eggs are then transferred from the female and fertilized.  November through to January is the best time to find male sea dragons with eggs.  Seadragons grow to a length of 20 centimetres after one year, reaching their mature length at two years.

predators:
In the wild, both young seadragons and adults are preyed upon by other fish, crustaceans and sea anemones, due to their small size and weak swimming ability.  Young seadragons look more delicate, are often differently coloured to adults and therefore hide in different types of seaweeds than the adults. These creatures represent a group of animals whose population is in severe decline and may only be displayed in select aquariums through a special export permit.  Their habitat is being destroyed and they must be conserved.
 

                                    
                  Leafy Sea Dragon photo by: Snap-Shot.com             Weedy Sea Dragon photo by: Cronulla Dive Center

bibliography:
1.  Cronulla Dive Site - Sea Dragons
      http://www.cronulladive.com.au
2.   "Dragons Down Under" -  Florida Aquarium Exhibit
       http://www2.sptimes.com/Aquarium/dragons.html
3.   Burton, Dr. Maurice. 1972. Enclyclopedia of Animals in Color Octopus Books Ltd.
4.   Encyclopedia Britannica
       http://www.britannica.com  
5.   Syngnathid Conservation Efforts
       http://www.creativenaturescapes.com/festersworld/animals/Saltwater/syngconserve.htm