Teleostei (teleosts) >
Syngnathiformes (Pipefishes and seahorses) >
Syngnathidae (Pipefishes and seahorses) > Syngnathinae
Etymology: Phyllopteryx: Greek, phyhllon = leaf + Greek, pteryx = wing, fin (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Lacepède.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 50 m (Ref. 9563). Temperate
Eastern Indian Ocean: southern Australia, from southern Western Australia to New South Wales and Tasmania (Ref. 9563).
Length at first maturity / Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm 31.0, range 30 - 32 cm
Max length : 46.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 9563)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Recorded from the intertidal zone to a depth of 50 m (Ref. 9563). Frequently among seaweeds and coral reefs (Ref. 9137). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 205). The male carries the eggs in a brood pouch which is found under the tail (Ref. 205).
Breeding behaviours and sexual dimorphism were observed in wild-caught weedy seadragons when the photoperiod exceeded 12.5 h daylength and water temperature exceeded 14?C; courtship behaviours typically lasted for 2-4 weeks before the time of breeding (Ref. 85751). Male carries the eggs in a brood pouch (Ref. 205). Gestation periods lasted from 30 to 38 days (Ref. 79764).
May, J.L. and J.G.H. Maxwell, 1986. Trawl fish from temperate waters of Australia. CSIRO Division of Fisheries Research, Tasmania. 492 p. (Ref. 9563)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Aquarium: public aquariums
Tools
Special reports
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Internet sources
Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
123201): 14.7 - 20.5, mean 17.2 °C (based on 130 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.7500 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00447 (0.00175 - 0.01142), b=2.99 (2.77 - 3.21), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.5 ±0.50 se; based on food items.
Generation time: 1.6 ( na - na) years. Estimated as median ln(3)/K based on 2
growth studies.
Resilience (Ref.
120179): High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Low vulnerability (24 of 100).
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Nutrients (Ref.
124155): Calcium = 23.8 [10.3, 47.2] mg/100g; Iron = 0.276 [0.138, 0.534] mg/100g; Protein = 18.6 [17.3, 19.9] %; Omega3 = 0.279 [0.138, 0.555] g/100g; Selenium = 11.8 [5.0, 30.4] μg/100g; VitaminA = 21.9 [4.6, 100.1] μg/100g; Zinc = 0.579 [0.361, 0.973] mg/100g (wet weight);
