Image sourcing: see credits & licences
Quick answer
The weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) is Australia's official aquatic emblem in some states — a colourful seahorse relative of southern kelp reefs from New South Wales to Tasmania and Western Australia. Males brood eggs on the tail; adults reach about 40 cm and are listed Least Concern but fully protected.
Top questions about the Weedy Seadragon
Weedy Seadragon facts at a glance
- Weight 150 g
- Length 40 cm
- Top speed 2 km/h
- Lifespan 8 years
| Scientific name | Phyllopteryx taeniolatus |
|---|---|
| Diet | Carnivore (small crustaceans) |
| Habitat | Kelp beds and rocky reefs |
| Lifespan | Around 8 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 0.15 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 2 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Actinopterygii |
| Order | Syngnathiformes |
| Family | Syngnathidae |
| Genus | Phyllopteryx |
Where it lives
The weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) is native to Temperate reefs of southern Australia from New South Wales to Tasmania and Western Australia. — recorded across Oceania in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a weedy seadragon?
An adult weedy seadragon measures 40 cm long — about 23% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 150 g, a small fraction of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of weedy seadragons called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Weedy Seadragons is called a herd.
Baby name
A baby Weedy Seadragon is called a fry.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Weedier, not leafier
Fewer cascading flaps than leafy seadragons, but striking purple, blue, and orange colours. They hover in kelp using minute fins and are more often seen by divers than their leafy cousins.
Crustaceans among kelp
Diet is small crustaceans and other planktonic prey sucked through a tubular snout. Across its range it is tied to kelp beds and rocky reefs, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.
Temperate Australian reefs
Kelp beds and rocky reefs of southern Australia from New South Wales to Tasmania and across to Western Australia. Across its range it is tied to kelp beds and rocky reefs, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.
Protected Least Concern
IUCN Least Concern with a wider distribution than leafy seadragons, yet Australian law protects them from collection; kelp loss from warming seas is a rising concern.
Explore the Weedy Seadragon
Related Fishs
Range & geography
Conservation status of the Weedy Seadragon
The weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
The weedy seadragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) is assessed on the IUCN Red List. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Weedy Seadragon
How do weedy and leafy seadragons differ?
Leafy seadragons have more elaborate leaf-like appendages; weedies show bolder purple-orange colour and fewer flaps.
Is the weedy seadragon Australia's marine emblem?
It is a celebrated Australian endemic and an official emblem in some jurisdictions; leafy seadragons share similar cultural status.
Do male weedy seadragons carry eggs?
Yes — eggs are brooded on the male's tail until they hatch.
Are weedy seadragons endangered?
Listed Least Concern, but legally protected and sensitive to kelp habitat loss.
Where do weedy seadragons live?
Temperate reefs of southern Australia including Tasmania. Native range summary: Temperate reefs of southern Australia from New South Wales to Tasmania and Western Australia.
What is a group of weedy seadragons called?
A group of Weedy Seadragons is called a herd.
What is a baby weedy seadragon called?
A baby Weedy Seadragon is called a fry.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Weedy Seadragon:
-
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Phyllopteryx taeniolatus.
-
iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Phyllopteryx taeniolatus. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
-
GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Phyllopteryx taeniolatus. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
-
Global Animal Guide editorial standards
How we research, source, review, and update every guide for accuracy.
