Marine Life Identification Perth WA
Shore Diving
Seahorses
Seahorses compose the fish genus Hippocampus within the family Syngnathidae, in order Syngnathiformes. "Hippocampus" comes from the Ancient Greek hippos meaning "horse" and kampos meaning “sea monster”. There are nearly 50 species of seahorse. They are mainly found in shallow tropical and temperate waters throughout the world. They prefer to live in sheltered areas such as seagrass beds, coral reefs, or mangroves... (Wikipedia)
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Western Australian Seahorse
(Hippocampus subelongatus)
I have found one of the most common places to see the Seahorse is at Rockingham DT. They usually hang off the ropes leading to the wrecks and also in the chicken coup hanging off the netted fencing.
Pregnant Western Australian Seahorse
This was the first photograph I ever took of a Seahorse and was happy that I actually found one. When we got back to the dive shop they informed me and pointed out that this Seahorse was actually pregnant.
Male Seahorses carry their young in a brooding pouch.
Photographed on a night dive @ Ammo Jetty.
Knobby Seahorse
(Hippocampus tuberculatus)
Seadragons
The Weedy Seadragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus, is a marine fish related to the seahorse. It is the only member of the genus Phyllopteryx. It is found in water 3 to 50 m deep around the southern coastline of Australia... (Wikipedia)
The Leafy Seadragon, Phycodurus eques, is a marine fish in the family Syngnathidae, which also includes the seahorses. It is the only member of the genus Phycodurus. It is found along the southern and western coasts of Australia. The name is derived from the appearance, with long leaf-like protrusions coming from all over the body... (Wikipedia)
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Weedy Seadragon aka Common Seadragon
(Phyllopteryx taeniolatus)
Weirdy.....sorry weedy.... definitely...... common.... far from it.
Great little moment at Point Peron, this was the first opportunity I had to photograph one of these very peculiar little guys.
Thanks has to go to Kerensa for spotting this, they really do blend in quite superbly to the weeds and grasses around the limestone reef at Point Peron.
IF YOU'RE NOT GOING DOWN: THEN WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU GOING
