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Divers Den

SEADRAGONS

Surely, two of Australia’s most intriguing fish!

SPECIES DETAILS
LEAFY or GLAUERT’S SEADRAGON
Scientific name:
Phycodurus eques
Habitat:                                    
Kelp-covered rocky reefs in depths from about 3- 50 m (10-165’)
Population:
Unknown
Conservation status:
Threatened Species (Protected in VIC, SA & WA)
Australian distribution:     
VIC, SA & WA
WEEDY or COMMON or LUCAS’ SEADRAGON
Scientific name:
Phyllopteryx taeniolatus
Habitat:                                    
Kelp-covered rocky reefs in depths from about 3- 50 m (10-165’)
Population:
Unknown
Conservation status:
Threatened Species (Protected in NSW & TAS)
Australian distribution:     
NSW, VIC, TAS, SA & WA

INFORMATION
Seadragons are only found in southern Australian waters and South Australia’s Second Valley Jetty is probably the seadragon capital of the world!

Second Valley Bay Jetty is one of Adelaide’s most popular dive sites due to its resident populations of both weedy seadradons and the exquisite ornately camouflaged leafy seadragon.

Weedy seadragons are also readily found around some Sydney dive sites such as Magic Point.

Seadragons preferred habitat is seaweed, kelp forest and seagrass meadows and they are not easily found without a local guide.

Seadragons are members of the pipefish family which also includes seahorses.

Like seahorses, the males are assigned to carrying fertilised eggs until tiny seadragons hatch after a four-to-six-week incubation. They reach sexual maturity at around two years and live for five to ten years.

‘Leafies’ can reach 35 centimetres (14”) in length while the slightly larger ‘Weedies’ can reach 46 centimetres (18”).

Both species are protected and the weedy seadragon is Victoria’s official marine fauna emblem.

Rapid Bay Jetty is one of Australia’s 50 Great Dives! READ MORE
Magic Point is also one of Australia’s 50 Great Dives! READ MORE

Special thanks to Ron van der Marel of Diving Adelaide and Peter Corrigan of Sea Dragon Dive Lodge.
Copyright © 2025 Steve Sinclair

DIVE DETAILS
Check with local dive services provider

2026 GREAT AUSTRALIAN DIVE CHALLENGE
Dive Registration
To register this dive for validation, go to: www.50greatdives.com.
NOTE: Entrants should do this dive with one of the following preferred dive services.

DIVE SERVICES

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