Car Rental Costa Rica - Leafy Sea Dragon

Scientific Name: Phycodurus eques

Origin: Australia

Maximum Size: Up To A Foot

Diet:Carnivore

The weedy sea dragon, pipefish and another rare species, this family includes seahorses. The Leafy Sea Dragon is one of the most remarkable members of the family Syngnathidae, with a real tongue twister for a scientific name.

They are slow moving creatures that are very susceptible to large predators, like all members of the family syngnathidae. They are only found in Australia where they live among areas with a lot of cover from seagrass and rock.

This fish has several lobe like protrusions across its body that essentially makes it look like a piece of weed drifting in the ocean. Which is why one of the most distinctive aspects of this amazing fish is its natural camouflage.

They can grow to about a foot in length. Allowing it to pounce on unsuspecting fishes and shrimp, prey is usually made up of species that live within its territory. They are carnivores that prey on small fish and crustaceans.

Something I'm certainly against. I have since learned of a few very rich individuals that have managed to get their hands on a specimen or two, however. Exhibit or a zoo of some sort, any specimens caught are almost always heading towards a University. Leafy sea dragons are a restricted species that are only collected with the consent of the Australian government.

Just like the seahorse. Not much is known about the breeding process beyond the male incubating the eggs until they hatch, details on the failure are not known and frankly. The pipefish and the seahorse, captive breeding attempts on this fish have thus far been unsuccessful unlike their brethren.

It isn't too much of a stretch to suggest that leafy sea dragons probably have similar care requirements to the seahorse or the pipefish. They are highly vulnerable and they breed the same way, they are slow. All members of the family syngnathidae share a few traits. There may be some guesses we can make, thankfully. There really isn't much to state regarding rearing these lovely fish in a home aquarium, because so little is known about their requirements in captivity.