Animal Species:Leafy Seadragon, Phycodurus eques (Günther, 1865)

Leafy Seadragon, Phycodurus eques
Andrew Bowie © Andrew Bowie

Alternative Name/s

Glauert's Sea-dragon

Identification

The Leafy Seadragon can be recognised by the leafy appendages on its body. It has a long tubular snout, a pectoral fin on its "neck" and a dorsal fin on its "back".

Similar Species

Weedy Seadragon, Phyllopteryx taeniolatus

Distribution

This superbly camouflaged fish is endemic to Australian temperate waters. It is known from the southern coastline of Australia, from Kangaroo Island, South Australia to south-western Western Australia.

Distribution by collection data

Biomaps map of Leafy Seadragon specimens in the Australian Museum collection.

What does this mean?

Habitat

It occurs on kelp-covered rocky reefs in depths from about 3 m to 50 m.

Mating and reproduction

The male of the species carries eggs attached to the underside of its tail.

Classification

Species:

eques

Genus:

Phycodurus

Family:

Syngnathidae

Order:

Gasterosteiformes

Class:

Actinopterygii

Subphylum:

Vertebrata

Phylum:

Chordata

Kingdom:

Animalia

What does this mean?

Further Reading

1. Dawson, C.E. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
2. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
3. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
5. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.

Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated: 4 September 2010

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Leafy Seadragon, Phycodurus eques, Syngnathidae,