Common seadragon

Not to be confused with Leafy seadragon.

Common seadragon
Phyllopteryx taeniolatus in Cabbage Tree Bay, Sydney, Australia
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Syngnathiformes
Family: Syngnathidae
Genus: Phyllopteryx
Species:
P. taeniolatus
Binomial name
Phyllopteryx taeniolatus
(Lacepède, 1804)
Phyllopteryx taeniolatus range
Synonyms[2]
  • Syngnatus taeniolatus Lacepède, 1804
  • Syngnathus foliatus Shaw, 1804
  • Phyllopteryx foliatus (Shaw, 1804)

The common seadragon or weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) is a marine fish of the order Syngnathiformes, which also includes the similar pipefishes, seahorses, and trumpetfishes among other species. Adult common seadragons are a reddish colour, with yellow and purple striped markings; they have small, leaf-like appendages that resemble kelp or seaweed fronds, providing camouflage, as well as a number of short spines for protection.[3][4] As with seahorses and the other syngnathids, the seadragon has a similarly tubular snout and a fused, toothless jaw into which it captures small invertebrate prey at lightning speed. Males have narrower bodies and are darker than females.[4] Seadragons have a long dorsal fin along the back and small pectoral fins on either side of the neck, which provide balance.[5] Weedy seadragons can reach 45 cm (18 in) in length.

The seadragon is the marine emblem of the Australian state of Victoria.[6]

  1. ^ Pollom, R. (2017). "Phyllopteryx taeniolatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T17177A67624517. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T17177A67624517.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Fishbase was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Bray, D.J. 2011, Common Seadragon, Phyllopteryx taeniolatus, in Fishes of Australia, accessed 26 Aug 2014, http://www.fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/3127
  4. ^ a b "Dragon Search". Retrieved 15 September 2017.
  5. ^ "Melbourne Aquarium". Archived from the original on 5 January 2006. Retrieved 18 February 2005.
  6. ^ Dept of Sustainability and Environment Victoria > The marine faunal emblem for the State of Victoria Archived 20 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 8 August 2011