P. eques can grow to be 50 cm but averages 30 cm in length (Dragon Search 2000; Groves 1998; Zahl 1978). Typical of Syngnathidae, P. eques exhibits a series of hard, exoskeletal rings around its entire body and a toothless tube-like snout (Groves 1998). Broad, flat appendages resembling seaweed branch from the plates surrounding the body (Groves 1998). Amidst these appendages on the sides of the body are several sharp spines that aid in defense against predators (Dragon Search 2000). The frond-like appendages and thin body vary on adults from green to yellow-brown to light brown; some have thin white lines radiating from the eye and extending over the body (Dragon Search 2000; Wheeler 1975). Color variation occurs and depends on age, location, diet, and environmental stressors (Dragon Search 2000).
Other Physical Features: bilateral symmetry
Living at depths of 5 to 15 meters, P. eques resides in areas with clear water, lower light conditions, and prominent vegetation. Such areas include seagrass meadows, seaweed beds, and rocky reefs (Dragon Search 2000; Groves 1998).
Aquatic Biomes: reef ; coastal
Phycodurus eques (leafy seadragon), or Phycodurus eques as it is also known, lives in temperate waters exclusively off the southern coast of Australia as does its nearest relative, Phyllopteryx taeniolatus (weedy seadragon) (Dragon Search 2000; Wheeler 1975).
Biogeographic Regions: australian (Native )
Mimicking surrounding vegetation, P. eques is able to quietly approach its unsuspecting prey (Groves 1998). The fish uses suction to draw food into its mouth, which it opens by expanding a joint on the lower snout. The major staple to the diet of P. eques is mysid shrimp. Plankton and larval fishes, however, are also part of its diet (Dragon Search 2000).
Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
Populations of P. eques have been declining due to both habitat destruction and aquarium harvest. Many conservation efforts including diver education, research efforts, and habitat preservation are currently underway in Australia to protect this species from decline (Dragon Search 2000).
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: near threatened
P. eques has traditionally been of economic importance to the aquarium fish trade. Due to its ornamentation, it is a desirable aquarium fish although difficult to maintain (Zahl 1978). This species also intrigues divers as it is very difficult to spot, and it is one of the many exotic Australian fishes that draw tourists from all parts of the globe (Groves 1998).
Unlike most fish species, in P. eques the male incubates the eggs. The female develops between 200 and 300 eggs. Concurrently, the male forms many capillaries on the tail, which then proceeds to swell, wrinkle, and form about 120 eggcups (Dragon Search 2000). The eggs are then transferred from the female onto the male's tail and fertilized, although little is known exactly how this occurs successfully (Groves 1998). Four weeks is the average incubation period, and hatching occurs over several days to maximize survival rates (Dragon Search 2000; Zahl 1978). For the first few days, a yolk sac provides nutrients. Soon after birth, the newborns are able to swim and hunt successfully. P. eques is approximately 20 mm at birth and grows to 20 cm within one year (Groves 1998). Between one and two years, the fish reaches maturity and can live for seven years in captivity (Groves 1998; Dragon Search 2000). Much of the reproduction, such as yearly breeding frequency, is yet unknown (Groves 1998).
The leafy seadragon (Phycodurus eques) or Glauert's seadragon, is a marine fish. It is the only member of the genus Phycodurus in the family Syngnathidae, which includes seadragons, pipefish, and seahorses.[2]
It is found along the southern and western coasts of Australia. The name is derived from their 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.[3][4]
The generic name Phycodurus is derived from the Greek words φῦκος phûkos "seaweed"[5] and δέρμα derma "skin".[6][7]
Much like the seahorse, the leafy seadragon's name is derived from its resemblance to another creature (in this case, the mythical dragon). While not large, they are slightly larger than most seahorses, growing to about 20–24 cm (8–9.5 in). They feed on plankton and small crustaceans.
The lobes of skin that grow on the leafy seadragon provide camouflage, giving it the appearance of seaweed.[8] It is able to maintain the illusion when swimming, appearing to move through the water like a piece of floating seaweed. It can also change colour to blend in, but this ability depends on the seadragon's diet, age, location, and stress level.
The leafy seadragon is related to the pipefish and belongs to the family Syngnathidae, along with the seahorse. It differs from the seahorse in appearance, form of locomotion, and its inability to coil or grasp things with its tail. A related species is the weedy seadragon, which is multicoloured and grows weed-like fins, but is smaller than the leafy seadragon. Another unique feature is the small, circular gill openings covering tufted gills, very unlike the crescent-shaped gill openings and ridged gills of most fish species.[9]
The leafy seadragon is found only in southern Australian waters, from Wilson’s Promontory in Victoria at the eastern end of its range, westward to Jurien Bay, 220 km (140 mi) north of Perth in Western Australia.[1][10] Individuals were once thought to have very restricted ranges; but further research has discovered that seadragons actually travel several hundred metres from their habitual locations, returning to the same spot using a strong sense of direction. They are mostly found over sand patches in waters up to 50 m (160 ft) deep, around kelp-covered rocks and clumps of sea grass.[3] They are commonly sighted by scuba divers near Adelaide in South Australia, especially at Rapid Bay, Edithburgh, and Victor Harbor.[11][12]
Leafy seadragons usually live a solitary lifestyle. When the time comes, males court the females, they then pair up to breed. From the moment they hatch, leafy seadragons are completely independent. By the age of two, they are typically full grown and ready to breed.[13]
The species feeds by sucking up small crustaceans, such as amphipods and mysid shrimp, plankton, and larval fish through its long, pipe-like snout.[3]
As with seahorses, the male leafy seadragon cares for the eggs. The female produces up to 250 bright pink eggs, then deposits them onto the male's tail with her ovipositor, a long tube. The eggs then attach themselves to a brood patch, which supplies them with oxygen. After 9 weeks, the eggs begin to hatch, depending on water conditions. The eggs turn a ripe purple or orange over this period, after which the male pumps his tail until the young emerge, a process which takes place over 24–48 hours. The male aids the hatching of the eggs by shaking his tail, and rubbing it against seaweed and rocks. Once born, the young seadragon is completely independent, eating small zooplankton until large enough to hunt mysids. Only about 5% of the eggs survive.[3] Each newborn fry begins life with a small, externally-attached yolk-sac. This sac provides them sustenance for their first few days of life. Despite this initial nutrition source, the majority of fry will instinctively learn to hunt and catch prey upon hatching, and will become self-reliant before the sac is gone.[14]
The leafy seadragon uses the fins along the side of its head to allow it to steer and turn. However, its outer skin is fairly rigid, limiting mobility. Individual leafy seadragons have been observed remaining in one location for extended periods of time (up to 68 hours), but will sometimes move for lengthy periods. The tracking of one individual indicated it moved at up to 150 m (490 ft) per hour.[15]
Leafy seadragons are subject to many threats, both natural and man-made. They are caught by collectors, and used in alternative medicine. They are vulnerable when first born, and are slow swimmers, reducing their chance of escaping from a predator. Seadragons are sometimes washed ashore after storms.[16]
The species has become endangered through pollution and industrial runoff, as well as collection for the aquarium trade. In response to these dangers, the species has been totally protected in South Australia since 1987, Victoria since at least 1995, and Western Australia since 1991. Additionally, the species' listing in the Australian government's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 means that the welfare of the species has to be considered as a part of any developmental project.[1][17][18]
Due to being protected by law, obtaining seadragons is often an expensive and difficult process as they must be from captive bred stock, and exporters must prove their broodstock were caught before collecting restrictions went into effect, or that they had a license to collect seadragons. Seadragons have a specific level of protection under federal fisheries legislation as well as in most Australian states where they occur.[1] Seadragons are difficult to maintain in aquaria. Success in keeping them has been largely confined to the public aquarium sector, due to funding and knowledge that would not be available to the average enthusiast. Attempts to breed the leafy seadragon in captivity have so far been unsuccessful.[19]
Australian aquaria featuring leafy seadragons include the Sydney Aquarium,[20] the Melbourne Aquarium, and the Aquarium of Western Australia.[21]
Ripley's Aquarium of Canada in Toronto displays both leafy and weedy seadragons.[22][23]
S.E.A. Aquarium, located in the Marine Life Park of Singapore, displays both leafy and weedy seadragons.
A number of aquaria in the United States have leafy seadragon research programs and/or displays. Among these are the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey;[24] Aquarium of the Pacific at Long Beach;[25] the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute in San Diego;[26] the Minnesota Zoo;[27] the Monterey Bay Aquarium;[28] the Dallas World Aquarium & the Dallas Children's Aquarium, Dallas;[29] the New England Aquarium, Boston;[30] the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington;[31] the Shedd Aquarium, Chicago;[32] the California Academy of Sciences;[33] the Tennessee Aquarium;[34] Sea World Orlando, Florida; the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium;[35], Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, Gatlinburg, Tennessee;, The Florida Aquarium[36] in Tampa, Florida; the Mote Aquarium in Sarasota, Florida;, and Ripley's Aquarium Broadway at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The leafy seadragon is the official marine emblem of the state of South Australia.[37] It also features in the logos of the following South Australian associations — the Adelaide University Scuba Club Inc. and the Marine Life Society of South Australia Inc.[38][39]
A biennial Leafy Sea Dragon Festival is held within the boundaries of the District Council of Yankalilla in South Australia. It is a festival of the environment, arts and culture of the Fleurieu Peninsula, with the theme of celebrating the leafy seadragon. The inaugural festival in 2005 attracted over 7,000 participants including 4000 visitors.[40]
In 2006, an animated short film, The Amazing Adventures of Gavin, a Leafy Seadragon, was made on behalf of several South Australian organisations involved in conserving the marine environment, including the Coast Protection Board, the Department of Environment and Heritage and the Marine Discovery Centre.[41][42][43] Made through a collaboration of The People's Republic of Animation, Waterline Productions and the SA Film Corporation,[44] the film is an introductory guide to marine conservation and the marine bioregions of South Australia suitable for 8-12 year olds,[45] and copies were distributed on DVD to all primary schools in the State. An educator's resource kit to accompany the film was released in 2008.[46][47]
The semieducational animated series The Octonauts featured a father and two young leafy sea dragons in Season 2, Episode 18.
The leafy seadragon (Phycodurus eques) or Glauert's seadragon, is a marine fish. It is the only member of the genus Phycodurus in the family Syngnathidae, which includes seadragons, pipefish, and seahorses.
Leafy seadragon skeleton It is found along the southern and western coasts of Australia. The name is derived from their 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.
