Collectible Wildlife Gifts | Weedy Sea Dragon, Seahorses, Museum Quality, Hand Painted, Rubber Fish, Realistic Toy Model, Gift, 7 1/2" CH299 BB129

The common Sea Dragón  or weedy snapdragon  (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) is a marine fish related to the seahorses. Adult common sea dragons  are a reddish color, with yellow and purple markings; they have small leaf-like appendages that resemble kelp fronds providing camouflage and a number of short spines for protection. Males have narrower bodies and are darker than females. Sea dragons  have a long dorsal fin along the back and small pectoral fins on either side of the neck, which provide balance. Common sea dragons  can reach 45 cm (18 in) in length. These fish are slow-moving and rely on their camouflage as protection against predation; they drift in the water and with the leaf-like appendages resemble the swaying seaweed of their habitat. They lack a prehensile tail that enables similar species to clasp and anchor themselves. Individuals are observed either on their own or in pairs; feeding on tiny crustaceans and other zooplankton by sucking prey into their toothless mouths. As with seahorses, sea Dragón  males are the sex that cares for the developing eggs. Females lay around 120 eggs onto the brood patch located on the underside of the males' tail. The eggs are fertilized  and carried by the male for around a month before the hatchlings emerge. The young are independent at birth, beginning to eat shortly after. Common sea dragons  take about 28 months to reach sexual maturity, and may live for up to six years.   Collectible Wildlife Gifts is the market leader in providing high quality, realistic toys of all types! Every one of our items is heavily inspected for quality craftsmanship and authenticity. Our products make great gifts for your family and friends! Additionally, our lifelike animal figurines and plush make for great displays and educational sets. We are happy to serve our wide range of clientele from parents to educators, gift shop owners and many more!   Our team works hard to ensure you get a great toy. All products from CWG are checked for quality to ensure you receive the order in perfect condition.   From plush sharks to educational animal growths cycle we offer the perfect toy or gift for any occasion. Our products have been ordered by educational groups, aquariums, zoos, and more.   Great customer service is guaranteed when you order from Collectible Wildlife Gifts, we want you to love your toy and have a simple ordering process, we are happy to assist with inquiries!