Leafy seadragon

The leafy seadragon (Phycodurus eques) or Glauert's seadragon, is a marine <a href="/facts/Fish/fln4gH9V">fish</a>. It is the <a href="/facts/Monotypic/QvoM9aGP">only member</a> of the genus Phycodurus in the family <a href="/facts/Syngnathidae/6j4pdUJC">Syngnathidae</a>, which includes <a href="/facts/Phyllopteryx/Nmnp7VDb">seadragons</a>, <a href="/facts/Pipefish/t5NrgFcI">pipefish</a>, and <a href="/facts/Seahorse/fl022TMM">seahorses</a>.

It is found along the southern and western coasts of <a href="/facts/Australia_(continent)/moNlN1Qk">Australia</a>. The name is derived from their appearance, with long leaf-like protrusions coming from all over the body. These protrusions are not used for propulsion; they serve only as <a href="/facts/Camouflage/GSjGqPuR">camouflage</a>. The leafy seadragon propels itself utilising a pair of <a href="/facts/Pectoral_fins/kS10PMPf">pectoral fins</a> on the sides of its neck and a <a href="/facts/Dorsal_fin/zAPuxI1G">dorsal fin</a> 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 <a href="/facts/Seaweed/thLwLBk8">seaweed</a>.
Popularly known as "leafies", they are the <a href="/facts/Symbols_of_South_Australia/L5oM4Rxu">marine emblem</a> of the state of <a href="/facts/South_Australia/R7UdxV97">South Australia</a> and a focus for local marine conservation.

Leafy seadragon open-in-new

Leafy seadragon