Shedd Aquarium Welcomes Weedy Seadragon Babies

For the first time in its history, Shedd Aquarium is celebrating over a dozen weedy seadragon babies, or fry, that successfully hatched behind the scenes to a male seadragon and are being reared by aquarists. These new arrivals mark a milestone as Shedd Aquarium joins only a handful, yet a growing list of other facilities to breed, hatch and raise this unique species of fish.

“Over a dozen seadragon babies are decades of dedication to care and continued collaboration with accredited partners, which signifies a career highlight for me personally,” said Erika Moss, senior aquarist at Shedd Aquarium. “This is only the second time our weedy seadragons had a successful egg transfer, which is already cause for celebration as a rare and remarkable process, so we’re incredibly proud of this male who carried the eggs on his tail until it was time for the fry to hatch and survive.”

Unlike most other species, but similar to seahorses a related species, the male is responsible for the young until birth. The expectant dad at Shedd Aquarium fertilized and carried eggs on the underside of his tail. After hatching, the weedy seadragon fry are fully independent, feeding and fending for themselves.

However, there is a helping hand behind the scenes at the aquarium as aquarists monitor the babies and ensure plenty of food is available. Even with the short stature of the inch-long hatchlings, and even smaller tube-like snouts to catch and consume minuscule prey, the new arrivals are picky but mighty eaters. Luckily, Shedd specializes in growing live foods like the tiny brine shrimp, copepods and mysis shrimp that sustain seadragon fry. The aquarium’s care team remains cautiously optimistic about the delicate seadragon babies, as it could take up to two years to grow to adult size.

“Already, I notice the babies growing, changing and developing,” said Moss. “The leaf-like appendages on the top of their head that allow them to camouflage are apparent now, and they are grouping in a protective pattern to look more like a floating plant. Each day is a new discovery and an opportunity to add to our understanding of their care and development.”

Chicagoans’ connection to coastal waterways and kelp forests can start with a visit to Shedd Aquarium’s Oceans gallery. There, guests can come face-to-face with four adult weedy seadragons to see their spectacular coloration, elaborate camouflage and distinctive swim.

For now, the baby weedy seadragons will remain behind the scenes. Next year, there’s a chance the new additions might join a new kelp forest habitat as part of Shedd’s Experience Evolution Changing Oceans exhibit. In the meantime, fans of the fry can follow updates on the aquarium’s social media channels.

BACKGROUND: Weedy seadragons are found in shallow coastal waters among kelp forests, seaweed beds and rocky reefs of southern and western Australia. The species is listed as Near Threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Risks facing the animals include habitat loss, pollution and climate change. Traits like slow swimming and extensive breeding process could make them particularly vulnerable. All reasons why caring for sea dragons throughout their life cycle is so important.

Weedy seadragons breed seasonally. The courtship involves a dance where the pair mirror each other for up to 24 hours. Then, the female passes eggs to the male who fertilizes them once on his tail. The eggs begin bright pink and darken as they develop, though not all will be fertile and survive. When hatching begins, the male releases a few eggs at a time. Once settled, the juveniles closely resemble the adults with key differences in size and coloration.

VISUALS: Find high-resolution photos, b-roll and captions here: https://personal.filesanywhere.com/guest/fs?v=8e70668e606175a89b68&C=50.
Photo Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Brenna Hernandez
Video Credit: ©Shedd Aquarium/Sam Cejtin