Skip to main content

Leafy Sea Dragon

phycodurus eques

Photo by HemaShah
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

36.7783, -119.418

Field Notes

Description:

This is a "Leafy Sea dragon." It is a part of the pipe fish family and the Sea Horse family..
The leaves are used for camouflage ,as per Wikipedia.. the leaves create an illusion of floating seaweed. The leaves are not used for propulsion as I first thought..

Habitat:

This picture was taken at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.
Since it is on exhibit , I am not sure whether it's habitat is also in the Pacific. I know that they are found on Australia's southern shoreline.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (8)
HemaShah
Thanks Cindy and if you are in Escondido,that is a great place to be for spottings!
lori.tas
They are found off the coast of Tasmania. Once, after a bit of a storm surge, I found one of the closely related Weedy sea dragons dead on a beach. It must have just died because the colors were still bright and vibrant. Tasmania even has a commercial seahorse raising facility ( http://www.visitlauncestontamar.com.au/accom_result1/seahorse-world-beauty-point-tasmania/ ).
HemaShah
http://youtu.be/DuI4ncViU4Y you tube video on sea dragons
Ashish
Truly amazing creation of the nature...!!
CynthiaMHori
Great photo! Did you know that a sea horse is part of the pipefish family? Thought you might want to change your setting from other to fish!
Photographed
PublishedMay 5, 2011

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies