Sea Dragons

[pahansen]

We went to the PPG Aquarium today (part of the Pittsburgh Zoo) and saw their newest additions -- leafy and weedy sea dragons. Wow! They were some of the coolest things we've ever seen -- fish or animals!

If you've never seen sea dragons before and you're within driving distance, I highly recommend visiting. The tank is large, floor-to-ceiling, and cylindrical, so there's plenty of viewing space. There must be at least a dozen sea dragons, perhaps more.

Perhaps those of you in Australia are more familiar with sea dragons, but I don't think there are many opportunities to view them in the states.

Pittsburgh Zoo Webpage

Pictures of Leafy Sea Dragons

 

[Rainbow_fish]

I'm so lucky, i'm an australian. Most aquariums round here have them. My sister goes diving and in south australia, she has been diving with them. Lucky her. Can you get them for the home aquarium??

John

 

[pahansen]

I did a little poking around, and it looks like they are now protected by Australian law. Apparently too many people thought they were wonderful, and the sea dragon population was being ruined by aquarists. I think you need to go through some kind of legal hoops to get/export them now. So the zoo is probably the only place I'll ever see them.

 

[chkltcow]

This is one I saw at Ripley's Aquarium last year, and consequently one of my favorite photos I've ever taken. Up front is a leafy see dragon, and behind him you can see a weedy sea dragon.

 

[sunflower]

 

[Puffer_freak]

Thats a great picture!

 

[pahansen]

What a beautiful photo! We didn't get a chance to take pictures -- we had the camera, but no card. Next time, we will, though.