Ruby Sea Dragon

About

The ruby sea dragon (Phyllopteryx dewysea) is one of the most recently described vertebrates on the planet, formally named in 2015 after specimens turned up in museum collections and via remotely operated underwater vehicles off the southern coast of Western Australia, particularly around the Recherche Archipelago. Unlike its famous cousins the leafy and weedy sea dragons, the ruby sea dragon lacks the elaborate fleshy appendages that mimic algae or kelp. Instead it relies on its deep reddish-pink coloration for camouflage, which makes sense given that red light disappears quickly at depth, rendering that color effectively invisible to predators in the darker water it calls home. It also has a prehensile tail, a trait its relatives have lost, suggesting it holds onto substrate or structure in the stronger currents of deeper reef environments. As a sea dragon, it belongs to the same family as seahorses and pipefish, sharing their fused snout, armored body, and the same distinctive mode of reproduction where males carry the eggs. This species is rated intermediate in care, which is something of an understatement. Sea dragons as a group are notoriously difficult to maintain in captivity and are best left to very experienced marine keepers with specialized setups.