The Sea of the Dragons

Erik Henchoz · Issue 56, Sep/Oct 2010 · pp. 74–77

Products mentioned: Nikon D300, MDX-D300 Sea&Sea housing, Sea&Sea YS-110 strobe, 60mm AF-Micro Nikkor F/2.8, Nikon AF DX 10.5mm f/2.8G IF-ED, 20mm AF Nikkor F/2.8

Their name evokes medieval stories of dragons and knights, legends from olden times and fabled adventures. Indeed, the Seadragons are small and defenseless creatures that exhibit unusual and fascinating colors and shapes. The Seadragons are close relatives to the more common Seahorses and Pipefishes, live in shallow waters and belong to the family Syngnathidae. They are divided in two species: the Leafy Seadragon (Phycodurus eques), which lives in the temperate waters of the southern coasts of Australia, and the Weedy Seadragon, (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) which lives and reproduces along the coast of Tasmania The Weedy Seadragon and the Leafy Seadragon have a similar biology and lifestyle, but they are very different with regards to form and color. The Leafy Seadragon has long and branching leaf shaped protrusions and depending on the individual, the habitat, the diet and the stress leve…