Wildlife
Leafy sea dragons are related to seahorses and, like their relations, the male seadragons carry their eggs in a pouch for a month before they hatch.
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Hidden in plain sight
The leafy sea dragon's effective disguise even fools other fish.
The leafy sea dragon's effective disguise even fools other fish.
Leafy sea dragons
Leafy sea dragons have perfect camouflage modelled on the local seaweeds.
The leafy sea dragon has a dress code all of its own, and its fashion statement is the perfect camouflage. With sea dragons it is the fathers that carry the eggs and they make quite sure the eggs don't drift off.
The following habitats are found across the Leafy sea dragon distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Near Threatened
Population trend: Unknown
Year assessed: 2006
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
The leafy seadragon or Glauert's seadragon,Phycodurus eques, is a marine fish in the family Syngnathidae, which also includes the seahorses. It is the only member of the genus Phycodurus. It is found along the southern and western coasts of Australia. The name is derived from the appearance, with long leaf-like protrusions coming from all over the body. These protrusions are not used for propulsion; they serve only as camouflage. The leafy seadragon propels itself by means of a pectoral fin on the ridge of its neck and a dorsal fin on its back closer to the tail end. These small fins are almost completely transparent and difficult to see as they undulate minutely to move the creature sedately through the water, completing the illusion of floating seaweed.
Popularly known as "leafies", they are the marine emblem of the state of South Australia and a focus for local marine conservation.
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Paternal care
Adapted to swimming
Camouflage
Carnivorous
Mimicry
Egg layer
Active at birth
Predator