Weedy Sea Dragon Video

The Aquarium's weedy sea dragons have proved that chivalry is not dead. One of the male sea dragons has been spotted carrying eggs on its tail! Although the female forms the eggs internally, it is the male sea dragon that carries them until they are ready to hatch! Stop by the Cold Water Quest Gallery, presented by Georgia-Pacific, in the next couple of weeks to spot the pregnant sea dragon.

The occurrence of a pregnant weedy sea dragon is extremely rare and has only taken place three times in aquariums throughout the United States! Georgia Aquarium is excited to display the weedy sea dragon’s fascinating life cycle as one of the females has successfully transported seventy eggs onto the soft bottom of a male’s tail. As a female drops the eggs onto the male’s tail, he fertilizes them and begins covering them with “cup-like” structures. These structures harden and form to hold and protect the eggs during the pregnancy period.

After a four to six week period, the bright pink eggs will hatch into miniature weedy sea dragons. As juveniles, the sea dragons will be smaller, have shorter snouts and less coloring, but will have the same physical form as adults. Within days of birth, each sea dragon will be on its own to hunt for small crustaceans, mysid shrimp and worms for survival since the sea dragon is a solitary species.

When you visit the Cold Water Quest Gallery, presented by Georgia-Pacific, you will have to pay close attention to find these hidden beauties. The weedy sea dragon is a mystical creature that demonstrates natural, beautiful brilliance carrying olive green, yellow, blue, and purple hues that glisten. With their leaf- like fins and frilly appendages, the sea dragons are able to camouflage themselves among the sea weed and grass beds that are found in southern and western areas of Australia and Tasmania.

Fun Facts

• Weedy sea dragons swim horizontally with their abdomen facing the bottom.
• It uses its tube-like snout like a drinking straw to suck up its food.
• The color and style of leafy appendages depend on factors like food supply.
• When they hatch, the juvenile sea dragons are basically in the form of an adult.
• Weedy sea dragons from deep-water habitats tend to be less leafy and brighter in color.
• Weedy sea dragons are poor swimmers.

Full Fact Sheet