The leafy seadragon or Glauert's seadragon, is a marine fish in the family Syngnathidae, which includes seadragons, pipefish, and seahorses.While not large, they are slightly larger than most seahorses, growing to about 20–24 cm (8–9.5 in). They feed on plankton and small crustaceans.The lobes of skin that grow on the leafy seadragon provide camouflage, giving it the appearance of seaweed. It is able to maintain the illusion when swimming, appearing to move through the water like a piece of floating seaweed. It can also change colour to blend in. unique feature is the small, circular gill openings covering tufted gills, very unlike the crescent-shaped gill openings and ridged gills of most fish species
Habitat and distribution
It is found along the southern and western coasts of Australia. The name is derived from the appearance, with long leaf-like protrusions coming from all over the body. These protrusions are not used for propulsion; they serve only as camouflage. The leafy seadragon propels itself by means of a pectoral fin on the ridge of its neck and a dorsal fin on its back closer to the tail end. These small fins are almost completely transparent and difficult to see as they undulate minutely to move the creature sedately through the water, completing the illusion of floating seaweed.
Ecology
Leafy seadragons usually live a solitary lifestyle. When the time comes, males court the females, they then pair up to breed. From the moment they hatch, leafy seadragons are completely independent. By the age of two, they are typically full grown and ready to breed.The species feeds by sucking up small crustaceans, such as amphipods and mysid shrimp, plankton, and larval fish through its long, pipe-like snout.
Leafy seadragons are subject to many threats, both natural and man-made. They are caught by collectors, and used in alternative medicine.The species has become endangered through pollution and industrial runoff, as well as collection for the aquarium trade.
Article by: - A.M. Waruni Sandarekha
Reference
https://oceana.org/marine-life/ocean-fishes/leafy-seadragon
https://www.marinebio.org/species/leafy-sea-dragons/phycodurus-eques/
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