Leafy Seadragon for Kids Ages 6-8

Leafy Seadragon

I am a Leafy Seadragon, a special fish from Australia that looks like seaweed. I drift slowly through the water, eating tiny shrimp with my snout. In my family, dads carry the eggs until they hatch. I am so special that on February 8th, 2002, I became the marine emblem for South Australia, reminding everyone to protect our beautiful oceans.

Scientifically Described c. 1865

Became Marine Emblem of South Australia 1984

The Leafy Seadragon's Floating Adventure

Hello! My name is a bit of a mouthful: Phycodurus eques. But you can call me a Leafy Seadragon. I am not a dragon that breathes fire, but a special kind of fish that looks just like floating seaweed! All of these leafy parts you see on my body are not for swimming. They are my amazing camouflage. This special disguise helps me blend in perfectly with the kelp and seagrass where I live. My home is in the cool, clear waters off the coast of southern Australia. It’s a beautiful place filled with tall, swaying plants, and I look like just another leaf drifting by. This keeps me safe from other animals that might want to find me.

I spend most of my days gently drifting and swaying with the water, just like a piece of kelp does in the current. I am a very slow swimmer. To move around, I use tiny, clear fins on my neck and back to steer myself through the water. They are so small you can barely see them! When I get hungry, I don’t have to chase my food. I just wait for tiny little shrimp, called mysids, to float by me. Then, with a quick slurp, I suck them right into my long, skinny snout. It works just like a straw! It's a good thing, too, because I don't have any teeth to chew with.

In my family, the dads are very special because they are the ones who take care of the babies before they hatch. It’s a very important job! After my mom lays her bright pink eggs, my dad carefully carries them on a specialized brood patch on his tail. This patch keeps the eggs safe and helps them grow. He carries them around for approximately 4 to 8 weeks, protecting them from danger until they are ready to hatch. When the time is right, Leafy Seadragons hatch as miniature versions of adults but lack fully developed leafy appendages and have different coloration! From the moment they are born, they are ready to explore the big blue ocean all on their own.

It is very important that my kelp forest home stays clean and safe, not just for me, but for all the creatures who live here. The people in Australia think we seadragons are pretty special, too, and I feel very proud of that. On February 8th, 2002, I became the official marine emblem for the state of South Australia! This means I am a symbol for the beautiful ocean life there. I love being a living, floating piece of art. I help make the ocean a beautiful and mysterious place for everyone to admire and protect. My story reminds people how wonderful our underwater world is.