Scientific name: Phyllopteryx taeniolatus

The bigger and more spectacular relative of the sea horse, weedy seadragons are a protected marine species encountered on many of our dives off the coast of Sydney. On some of our Sydney dive sites we commonly see up to 6 weddies on a single dive.

Weedy seadragons on display

Beautiful yet shy, weedy seadragons are easy to see as they glide on the sea floor in spite of their stunning camouflage. Get too close and they’ll retreat to the safety of the kelp beds they call home.

See the weedies on your next dive with us!

The best way to see the weedy seadragons is to join us on a Sydney dive. Check out our boat calendar to see where we’re going next!

Quick facts about weedy seadragons

• A relative of sea horses
• Found along Australia’s south and east coast
• A protected species deemed “near threatened”
• Weedies do not typically move much during their life. They mostly hang around their home reef.
• Scientists speculate that due to global warming and the warming of the seas, weedy seadragons will migrate south towards cooler waters (so take your opportunity now to see them on our Sydney dives.)
• These same scientists are now using the same technology as NASA to photograph and identify weedy seadragons
• Slurp their food using their snout like a drinking straw
• Male weedy seadragons are known to have two births per season. They carry the eggs on their tails  (see above photo.)
• Can reach 45cm in length
• Have been known to live up to 9 years (in captivity)
• Adults sport a reddish coat with yellow and purple markings
• Camouflaged with leaf-like appendages to blend in with kelp and short spines for protection (although they have no known predators.)