The Weedy Sea Dragon

Weedy sea dragons, Phyllopteryx taeniolatus, are one of only two species of seadragons, the second is known as the leafy seadragon, Phycodurus eques, due to the greater number of leaf-like appendages along its body. 

Distribution of Weedy Seadragon

They are related to seahorses and have a similar bony-plated body and long snout however their tails are not prehensile and they are actually more closely related to pipefish. Adults are typically red with yellow and purple patterning. Their leafy like appendages act as camouflage. Like in seahorses the males carry and hatch the eggs and typically have narrower bodies. Adults can reach a maximum of 45cm in length.

They inhabit coastal waters around Australia at around 160ft deep and can be found in seagrass and seaweed beds as well as rocky reefs.

Although they are categorised as least concern on the IUCN Red List, they are threatened by the aquarium pet trade and it is illegal in most places to export these animals Individual weedy seadragons can be identified by distinct facial markings

Watch this cute video of a male weedy seadragon hatching its eggs.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEXFDkIvyRA

UPDATE: A third species, the ruby seadragon, Phyllopteryx dewysea, was discovered in 2015

Classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Syngnathiformes
Family:	Syngnathidae
Genus:	Phyllopteryx
Species:	P. taeniolatus

References

Bray, D.J. 2011, Common Seadragon, Phyllopteryx taeniolatus, in Fishes of Australia, http://www.fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/3127

Stiller J, Wilson NG, Rouse GW. A spectacular new species of seadragon (Syngnathidae). Royal Society open science. 2015 Feb 18;2(2):140458.

Martin-Smith, K.M. (2011). Photo-identification of individual weedy seadragons Phyllopteryx taeniolatus and its application in estimating population dynamics. Journal of Fish Biology 78, 1757–1768.

Sanchez-Camara, J., and Booth, D.J. (2004). Movement, home range and site fidelity of the weedy seadragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus (Teleostei: Syngnathidae). Environmental Biology of Fishes 70, 31–41

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Sanchez-Camara, J., Booth, D.J., and Turon, X. (2005). Reproductive cycle and growth of Phyllopteryx taeniolatus. Journal of Fish Biology 67, 133–148.

Sanchez-Camara, J., Martin-Smith, K., Booth, D.J., Fritschi, J., and Turon, X. (2011). Demographics and vulnerability of a unique Australian fish, the weedy seadragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus. Marine Ecology Progress Series 422, 253–264.