Seahorses, Seadragons and Pipefish

Pot-bellied Seahorse

Also known as the Bigbelly Seahorse, this species of seahorse are known for their very big 'bellies'. This species is one of the largest seahorse species in the world, with a length of up to 35 cm.

Pipefish

Pipefish are masters of disguise; their slim, elegant bodies look just like the seagrasses and seaweeds in which they live.

Like Seahorses and Seadragons they prey on tiny plankton which they suck up food through their straw-like snouts at lightening speed. Look for the tell-tale puff of shredded shell from their gills when they've just caught a tasty morsel!

Razorfish

The Razorfish adopts a unique and easily identifiable position of head-down, tail-up that mimics the spines of sea urchins. Growing up to 15 centimetres long, they are typically found within coastal reefs in the Indo-Pacific region where sea urchins live. Razorfish have been observed to eat zooplankton as well as tiny crustaceans.

Weedy Seadragons

Weedy Seadragons are only found to the waters off south and east Australia. They hover and bob through the water slowly, drifting on the current like a piece of seaweed. Seadragons have slender, bony bodies, striped in rich purple, vibrant orange and ruby red; mimicking the seaweed and kelp in which they hide.

Fortunately they are well protected by the Australian government from fishing, however they are still threatened by pollution, habitat loss and global warming.