Leafy sea dragons

[gtfourmn]

I remember seeing a nature video that featured leafy sea dragons, and was wondering if anyone in the states raise or breed them? It'll be nice to setup a species only tank for a couple of them. Anyone know where I can find more info on them or obtain a few specimens?

 

[TellyFish]

Not really. There are not available in the hobby and if they were, it would be very expensive. Don't know for sure, never seen one for sale... just at public aquariums.

 

[strout]

I saw that video on you tube last nite, its a BBC video, tried to find the link for you, but failed.

 

[ann83]

They are a very large coldwater species that spooks and panics easily. They would need a very large setup, with a very large chiller, and probably precautions taken to make sure they were insulated from any loud noises, bright lights, or other things that could startle them.

 

[Tylt33]

I remember seeing a nature video that featured leafy sea dragons, and was wondering if anyone in the states raise or breed them? It'll be nice to setup a species only tank for a couple of them. Anyone know where I can find more info on them or obtain a few specimens?

No one has successfully raised fry as far as I know, but they have bred in captivity. Wild caught specimens sell in the $5000 range I believe. I think every seahorse owner at one time or another has the pipe dream of owning Leafy Sea Dragons :inlove:

 

[senior]

ocean pro aquatics had some for sale awhile back and they wanted $5000 for them

 

[billybobed]

5g's for one!.....That thing better rock me to sleep at night.....!

 

[Makbarracuda]

Aquabid.com had one listed for 1800.00 but went unsold, and i never saw it listed again.

 

[Terra Ferma]

The story goes...every year the Australian collector is allowed to collect one pregnant male, raise the fry, then return the male to the collection site. There is usually a very long list of aquariums and non-US collectors in line for these things. Its possible that due to the "great recession" demand dropped and we saw availability stateside.

There is an HK guy on RC that is close to spawning them and I've heard of someone in the US that has spawned them and possibly raised fry. Shouldn't be hard to do if you have the right setup (big and cold)

 

[Bluetangclan]

Big cold and very tall. Well beyond the means of most aquarists. I think the one at Sea World is 12' tall and thats a new tank because the old 8'(I think) tank wasnt tall enough for them to complete their mating ritual. Its surface area is pretty small actually and i think the diver that cleans it uses an air hose instead of a tank due to lack of space. I could be wrong since its been awhile since i was backstage.

 

[floridazooguy]

Terra Ferma is right one guy collects a pregnant male raises and sells them.
The list for the wait might be shorter due to public places trying to save money and not making as much. It cost alot of money to maintain the system but when adults they are not hard to keep alive.