Weedy Seadragon, Victor Harbor

The Weedy Seadragon, Phyllopteryx taeniolatus is endemic to South Australian temperate waters. Like its close relative, the Leafy Seadragon, you will not find it anywhere else in the world.

Seadragons are closely related to seahorses but, unlike seahorses, they do not have an egg pouch for brooding. Instead, the males brood their young by attaching the eggs to their tail and looking after them until they hatch. Meanwhile, mum has long gone! Actually she's probably not far away, but will have nothing to do with raising children!

This was my first dive for the year and was an opportunity to take my Argentinian guest, Gustavo, on a mission to see and photograph Leafy Seadragons. In all we found seven 'leafys' so the Weedy was a delightful bonus. It sure is nice to be back in the water again.

Until the next post, take care out there and keep diving ( if that's what you do! ) ...Robert

Photo: Robert Rath C7070WZ 1/30s at f/8 ISO80, Lens Inon UWL100-28AD Lens, Inon D2000 Strobe