Photography

Leafy Sea Dragon |

Photo: NaSser Alomairi.

| Flickr |

The Leafy Sea Dragon or Glauert’s Seadragon (Phycodurus eques), is a marine fish in the family Syngnathidae. The family also includes Sea Dragons, Pipefish and Seahorses. It is the only member of the genus Phycodurus.

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.

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