Weedy Sea Dragon - Facts On The Fascinating Weedy Sea Dragon

Scientific Name : Phyllopteryx taeniolatus

Origin : Australia

DIfficulty : Unknown

Minimum Size Tank : 100 Gallons

Temperament : Peaceful

Temperature : 72 - 82°F

Reef Safe : Yes

Maximum Size : Up To 16 inches

Diet :Carnivore

The Weedy Sea Dragon is another member of the family Syngnathidae that only comes from Australia. Its resembles its close cousin the Leafy Sea Dragon.

And like its cousin, it is also one of the larger members of the syngnathidae family. It tops out near a foot and a half.

It is called the weedy sea dragon because of the weed like extensions that protrude out of its body. Unlike leafy sea dragon, there are only a few leaf like lobes on the fish.

Their habitats range near seabeds where they blend in with the seagrass present. They can be found in a variety of depths from as shallow as 10 feet all the way up to 150 feet.

I have not heard of this fish being kept by any hobbyist. The only ones with access to these fishes seem to be public aquariums and universities.

As such, the price of a specimen is unknown. But considering their rarity in the trade, i'd expect them to cost an arm and a leg.

The weedy sea dragon has been successfully bred in captivity by a number of public aquariums. They include the Melbourne Aquarium, Tennessee Aquarium and the Georgia Aquarium.

Like all members of the syngnathidae family, the male keeps the fertilized eggs in a special pouch. When the eggs are ready to hatch, the male ejects them.