Weedy Seadragon

Its Courtship is a Dance

The weedy seadragon is a member of the seahorse family. It grows to about a foot and a half and lives among seagrasses and coral reefs. Its color and odd appendages help keep it camouflaged from its predators. Its range is the ocean areas of western Australia, south Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania

One of its most interesting and beautiful features is that, like the seahorse, the male carries the eggs; however, unlike the seahorse, the eggs are carried under its tail. About two months after a dance-like courtship the eggs hatch and the babies are on their own.

Even though the status of the weedy seadragon is not currently known, it is being closely monitored in its native waters and collection of this species is strictly regulated.  Sadly, it is likely that development along the coastal waters in which it lives could drastically affect its habitat and decrease its numbers.