Gossamer Dragon

This elegant creature is a leafy sea dragon (Phycodurus eques), on display at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Longbeach, CA. These rare animals make their homes in the inshore waters of the southern part of Western Australia and South Australia. Their leafy appendages allow them to hide in the seagrass that grows in their habitat, but do not aid in the animal's locomotion. Highly prized by collectors, the leafy sea dragon has all but disappeared in its native waters, which are threatened by pollution and fertilizer runoff.

Because of their fragility and exacting dietary requirements, these relatives of the seahorse have proven to be extremely difficult to breed in captivity. Only three aquariums worldwide have been able to breed dragons successfully.

Like seahorses, sea dragon males are the ones who get pregnant and give birth.

They have no known predators in the wild.