Animal Profiles
Fish

Sea Dragon

Phycodurus eques

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The leafy seadragon is an Australian fish whose appendages resemble seaweed. Its narrow, toothless snout draws in tiny prey by suction.

Phycodurus eques

James Rosindell · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Temperate waters off southern Australia, among seagrass, seaweed beds and rocky reefs.
Habitat
Coast
Diet
Carnivore
Food
Mysid shrimp, plankton and larval fish.

Classification

Common name
Sea Dragon
Browse group
Fish
Scientific name or taxon
Phycodurus eques
Taxon rank
species
Order
Syngnathiformes
Family
Syngnathidae
Genus
Phycodurus
Source classification
Actinopterygii

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Measurements

Size and speed

Length
About 30 cm average length reported by Animal Diversity Web

Typical adult ranges. Source: Animal Diversity Web.

Three things to know

  • Its snout works by suction.
  • The leaf-like projections help it blend with vegetation.
  • Its natural range is southern Australia.

Habitat and range

Temperate waters off southern Australia, among seagrass, seaweed beds and rocky reefs.

Appearance and adaptations

Leaf-like projections disguise the outline of a body protected by bony rings. A long tube-shaped snout ends in a small mouth.

Diet and behaviour

It moves slowly through vegetation and draws small animals into its mouth. The resemblance to surrounding plants helps it approach prey without attracting attention.

Sources

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