the Ocean / sea-dragons-the-genus-phycordanus
Facts about Sea Dragons (The Genus Phycodurus)
- 05
A protected species in South Australia since 1982, leafy sea dragons of genus Phycodurus are also safeguarded under national Australian environmental legislation.
- 04
Phycodurus eques feeds exclusively on small crustaceans such as mysid shrimp and sea lice, using its long pipe-like snout to suck in prey.
- 03
Elaborate leaf-like appendages covering the body of Phycodurus eques serve as camouflage rather than for propulsion, with locomotion achieved by small transparent fins.
- 02
Like seahorses, male leafy sea dragons of genus Phycodurus carry and incubate fertilized eggs, deposited by the female onto a brood patch on the tail.
- 01
The leafy sea dragon, sole member of the genus Phycodurus, is found only in the coastal waters of southern and western Australia.