General Description

Body elongate, contorted and compressed with a long tubular snout and prominent leaf-like appendages on the body and tail that resemble kelp fronds. Overall reddish-orange with pale spots, iridescent bluish bars on the chest, and a bright yellow underside. Females have deeper bodies than males. Usually 35 cm long head to tail tip (up to 46 cm).

Biology

This seadragon is frequently seen around piers which have seagrass nearby. Although females are deeper-bodied than males, it is the males that brood the developing eggs on the underside of their tail. The Common Seadragon is protected by national legislation, and it is the Marine State Faunal Emblem for Victoria.

Distribution

Southern Australia.

Habitat

On algal beds and rocky reefs, often associated with seagrass Amphibolus.

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