Common Seadragon - Phyllopteryx taeniolatus

Common Seadragons aka Weedy Seadragons grow to a length of about 18 inches. There pretty fins are used as camouflage as their defense from predators. They inhabit the southern reefs and sandy areas around Australia. Though relatively common compared to the Leafy Seadragon, Common Seadragons are also government protected.

Seadragons as a group are closely related to Seahorses but do not use thier tails for gripping but rather to use steering and swim with. And unlike seahorses they do not have a pouch for rearing the young. The male seadragons carry the eggs fixed to the underside of the tail until they hatch.