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The Weedy or Common Seadragon has simple paddle-like projections along its body.
The body is cream to orange with purple bars across mature animals. The snout is
long and thin without a ridge. Often confused with the Leafy Seadragon, which is more common in South and
Western Australia, and has many branched and bushy projections. There are a few reported Leafy Seadragon sightings from western
Victoria. Both species are endemic to Australian temperate marine waters.
Seadragons are related to the seahorses, however they lack a pouch for rearing the
young. Instead, male seadragons carry the eggs fixed to the underside of the tail
until they eventually hatch. The Weedy Seadragon grows to 46 cm in length.
Range: Geraldton, WA to Port Stephens, NSW and around Tas.
Image © Rudie Kuiter & Mark Norman
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Map interpretation: This maps show the average abundance of this species, as observed by participants in the Great Victorian Fish Count. Each dot represents a site that has been monitered by Reef Watch, and the colour of the dot shows the average abundance, as detailed in the legend. Tentative sightings occur when the Reef Watcher is not 100% confident of the identification, or where the sighting is outside the previously known distribution of the species. It would be great to confirm these sightings with a photograph or further observations.
References:
- Edgar, Graham. J. 1997. Australian Marine Life - the plants and animals of temperate waters (revised edition). New Holland : Sydney .
- Gomon, Martin. F, Glover, J. C. M., & Kuiter, R. H. (eds) 1994. The Fishes of Australia 's South Coast . State Print: Adelaide .
- Hutchins, Barry, & Swainston, Roger. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia - Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing and Gary Allen: Smithfield .
- Kuiter, Rudie. H. 1993. The Complete Divers' & Fishermen's Guide to Coastal Fishes of South-Eastern Australia . Crawford House Press: Bathurst .
- Kuiter, Rudie. H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia - A comprehensive reference for divers & fishermen. New Holland : Sydney .
