The Leafy sea dragon has no natural predators but eats tiny mysid shrimp known as 'sea-lice', plankton and small deep sea fish.
With a face that looks like a horse that is where the name came from. Leafy sea dragon, one of the weirdest animals on the planet earth, is the only surviving member of the genus Phycodurus which has been named after the dragons of the Chinese mythology. native; Habitat. They grow to a length of 20 to 24 cm (8.0 to 9.5 in). Phycodurus eques (leafy sea dragon or Glauert's sea dragon): The leafy sea dragon has numerous leaf-like protrusions that camouflage it from predators. Sea dragons do not have teeth or a stomach; therefore they eat almost constantly while covering wide areas searching for prey. The leafy sea dragon (Phycodurus eques) is one of two species of sea dragon found in Australia's southern waters and nowhere else in the world, the other being the weedy sea dragon. Its specific name also refers to one of the most basic physical characteristics of the animal, that is, long leaf-like projections that come from all over the body. leafy sea dragon Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Osteichthyes Order Syngnathiformes Family Syngnathidae Genus Species Phycodurus eques . Their appearance makes it difficult for potential predators to distinguish them a floating piece of seaweed. 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. Diet. The maximum length of the leafy seadragon is about 35 cm (14 in). They feed on mysid shrimp, a favorite food, and other small crustaceans, plankton, and larval fishes.
Adult common seadragons are a reddish colour, with yellow and purple markings; they have small leaf-like appendages that resemble kelp fronds providing camouflage and a number of short spines for protection. They are relatively large compared to their closely related species and reach lengths of up to one foot (30 cm) long. Leafy seadragons eat small, plankton crustaceans but are small enough themselves and have sufficient vision to see and attack individual prey (unlike large filter feeders). Despite its fearsome name, it is incredibly beautiful in shape and colouring and its camouflaging appendages give it a fragile appearance. Males have narrower bodies and are darker than females.
Fast Facts Description Particularly well camouflaged with elaborate, ornate skin filaments that hang from the head, body and tail making this animal virtually indistinguishable from the floating sea weed in which it lives. Size. One of the most interesting living creatures in the bodies of water is the seahorse. They have a very unique look that people are quite interested in. This species lives along the southern and western coasts of Australia.
Leafy sea dragons change color to blend in with their environment.
Sea Dragons Description By Christina Stephens ... Leafy sea dragons have flowing, leaf-like appendages and range in color from yellow to olive-green and brown. Leafy seadragons are very poor swimmers and rely on their camouflage to avoid predation. The common seadragon or weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) is a marine fish related to the seahorses. Geographic Range. Leafy sea dragons are usually about 8-9 inches long, making them just about as big as one-and-a-half dollar bills laid end to end.
Introduction to Syngnathidae Family .
Second, leafy sea dragons are smaller that weedy sea dragons. Facts about the Common Seahorse, the Pygmy Seahorse, the Leafy Sea Dragon, the Weedy Sea Dragon, the Pipefish and more.