The arrival of the sea dragons will give visitors the opportunity to discover a species rarely seen in aquariums.
Seville Aquarium welcomes the arrival of sea dragons (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus), a fascinating species whose extraordinary camouflage and unique appearance make it one of the most remarkable fish in the ocean. This new arrival reflects the Aquarium’s commitment to continuing to increase the diversity of species in its care, focusing on animals of significant biological and educational interest that help bring the richness of marine biodiversity closer to the public.
Native to the temperate waters of southern Australia and Tasmania, sea dragons belong to the Syngnathidae family, alongside seahorses and pipefish. Their delicate, seaweed-like appendages allow them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings as they drift gently with the currents, making them true masters of camouflage. They also share one of the animal kingdom’s most remarkable reproductive adaptations with seahorses: the male carries and protects the eggs until they hatch.
Closely associated with kelp forests and seagrass meadows, sea dragons depend on these ecosystems for their survival. Habitat degradation, together with pollution in coastal areas, has led the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to classify the species as Near Threatened, highlighting how the conservation of these ecosystems is essential to safeguarding the future of sea dragons and many other marine species.
“The arrival of the sea dragons is a great opportunity to introduce the public to lesser-known species and spark their curiosity about the ocean. They are truly remarkable animals, but above all, they help us explain the importance of conserving marine ecosystems and the extraordinary biodiversity they support”, says Javier Landa, Technical Director of Seville Aquarium.
With this new arrival, Seville Aquarium continues to strengthen its position as one of Andalusia’s leading centres for marine education, environmental awareness and biodiversity conservation, giving visitors the opportunity to discover unique species while learning about the extraordinary richness of our oceans and the importance of protecting them.