Sea Dragon vs. Seahorse: Key Differences Explained

Sea dragons and seahorses are some of the most fantastical creatures that live in the ocean. These unique animals seem almost too wild to be real, but incredibly, they both are. If you’ve seen them, in person or on television, you know that differentiating between the two isn’t always easy. Still, despite their visual similarities, they are distinct species that are related but different. Today, we are going to take a look at those differences and learn a bit about them. So, let’s explore sea dragon vs. seahorse and discover what makes them unique!

Comparing a Sea Dragon and a Seahorse

The Key Differences Between a Sea Dragon and a Seahorse

The main differences between a sea dragon and a seahorse are that sea dragons have leaf-like appendages around their bodies, only live around Australia, and don’t internally grow embryos. Seahorses are bony in appearance, live all over the world, and grow embryos internally.

Sea dragons and seahorses have majestic names, despite their small statures. Still, these little sea creatures are some of the most interesting and curious things that live on Earth. Sea dragons are flowy, algae-like creatures that rely on camouflage in order to avoid predators. Seahorses look similar but are usually bonier and don’t have the “leaves” like a sea dragon does. Additionally, both creatures are closely related, as the males carry the young, albeit in different ways.

One of the primary differences between the two is the use of their tails. Sea dragons have tails, but they don’t use them for much. The tail of a seahorse, on the other hand, is prehensile and can be uncurled. Seahorses are often seen with their tails wrapped around something as they drift in the water. Still, neither creature is a strong swimmer.

Aside from their appearance and tails, sea dragons and seahorses have some other differences. Let’s explore these differences in more detail below!

Sea Dragon vs. Seahorse: Taxonomy

The sea dragon and seahorse are closely related but ultimately split into their own groups. Sea dragons belong to the Syngnathidae family, a group of fish that includes seahorses and pipefish. Within the Phyllopteryx genus, there are two species of sea dragon, the weedy (common) sea dragon and the ruby sea dragon. There is also one further species in the Phycodurus genus, the leafy sea dragon.

Seahorses also belong to the Syngnathidae family, alongside pipefish and sea dragons. The genetic relation is visibly clear, alongside other traits that are markedly similar between the two. However, seahorses belong to the Hippocampus genus, which contains 46 unique species.

Sea Dragon vs. Seahorse: Appearance

Both the sea dragon and seahorse have a horse-like head, but that’s where the visual similarity ends. Sea dragons are covered in leafy appendages that are designed to make them look like drifting seaweed. Additionally, sea dragons are usually more colorful than seahorses, although that isn’t always the case. Sea dragons have the ability to change their color in order to better stay hidden in their environment.

Seahorses get their name from their unique appearance. Their head and snout closely resemble a horse; only the bodies of seahorses are oriented vertically. Additionally, a seahorse has a bonier appearance than a sea dragon and doesn’t have leafy appendages. The tail of a seahorse is usually curled up into a little coil. Seahorses also have the ability to change color in some instances and can also change their body growth in order to mimic their habitat.

Sea Dragon vs. Seahorse: Tails

While sea dragons have tails, they don’t serve much purpose. Sea dragons can barely swim and prefer to drift around through kelp forests. Instead of using their tail for swimming, they have tiny fins that slightly propel them, although they don’t move very fast.

Seahorses have prehensile tails that are regularly used as anchors. Prehensile tails are simply tails that an animal has adapted in order to grasp or hold things. Seahorses have small dorsal fins on their spines that they use to propel themselves through the water, but most of the time, they can be found with their tails wrapped around something.

Sea Dragon vs. Seahorse: Distribution

The only place in the world where sea dragons live is along the western and southern coast of Australia. Sea dragons live in coral reefs and kelp forests and are rather rare. Snorkelers often search for them and refer to them as “kelpies.”

Seahorses have a much wider distribution. Seahorses are found in tropical and temperate coastal waters around the world. They are usually in sheltered areas, namely seagrass beds, reefs, and mangroves. Seahorses have been found in surprising places such as Nova Scotia, the Thames Estuary, and the Mediterranean Sea, as well as many others.

Sea Dragon vs. Seahorse: Reproduction

Sea dragons and seahorses are famously known for the male’s role in caring for the young. For a sea dragon, the eggs are deposited by the female on a patch near the tail. This “brood patch” will protect and oxygenate the eggs for around six to eight weeks, at which point the eggs will hatch.

Seahorses have a similar process. After a four-phased mating ritual, the female will deposit her eggs into the “brood pouch” near the male’s belly. This internal pouch protects the eggs as they mature. After two to four weeks, the male pushes the babies out through its belly in a process that closely resembles birth.