Update to this Blog: The Shores & Aquarium team has confirmed there are FIVE male weedy seadragons carrying eggs!
It’s a moment making waves across the globe—and it’s happening right here in Columbus.
Four male weedy seadragons at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium are carrying eggs—an achievement that marks the first time in the world this has ever happened at a public aquarium. This exciting breakthrough brings us one step closer to understanding one of the ocean’s most mysterious and fragile species.
Wait—What’s a Weedy Seadragon?
Think of a seadragon as a magical cousin of the seahorse. With long, leaf-like fins and a graceful glide through the water, they look like they’ve swum right out of a fairy tale.
Native to the southern and eastern coasts of Australia, weedy seadragons blend so well into seaweed and kelp that researchers rarely see them in the wild. That’s just one of the many reasons why this news is so extraordinary.
Learn More about Weedy Seadragons
A Rare Role Reversal
In the seadragon world, it’s the males who carry the eggs. After a delicate courtship dance—where the male and female mirror each other’s movements and gently rise through the water—the female transfers her eggs to the underside of the male’s tail.
The male fertilizes the eggs and carries them for 6–8 weeks. And now, at the Columbus Zoo, four different males are doing just that, all at the same time.
The First Hatchlings Have Arrived!
The Zoo’s Animal Care team moved the dads-to-be behind the scenes to provide extra attention and protection. Each hatchling is only about an inch long and is now under 24/7 care by our expert team. Their appetites? Let’s just say they’re fierce—these little ones are currently eating over 9,000 baby shrimp and 18,000 planktonic crustaceans per week!
Why This Matters
Weedy seadragons are considered vulnerable in their native range due to warming oceans and overfishing. Breeding them successfully in a professional setting like ours is an important step in protecting their future.
Because they’re rarely seen in the wild, each moment of care and observation at the Zoo helps scientists and caregivers better understand how to support this delicate species.
“Weedy seadragons are among the most challenging marine species to breed,” said Megan Brown, PhD, with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. “Observing multiple males brooding at once is incredibly rare—and incredibly exciting.”
Building on Success
This milestone builds on a 2024 breakthrough, when male seadragons successfully hatched over 20 fry (baby seadragons) for the first time in Columbus Zoo history. Those little ones have since grown to adult size and now live in the same habitat, thriving thanks to the lessons our Animal Care team has learned.
Behind the Scenes: Where Science Meets Passion
The Columbus Zoo’s Shores & Aquarium team has worked tirelessly to create the perfect conditions for these animals—from water quality to diet to behavioral observations.
“Each day, we learn something new,” said Becky Ellsworth, Curator of the Shores & Aquarium team at the Zoo. “From subtle behaviors to environmental preferences, these moments help us refine care and contribute to seadragon science worldwide.”
See Them for Yourself
While the hatchlings are currently behind the scenes for specialized care, you can visit the adult weedy seadragons in the Nocturnal Building within the Australia & the Islands region of the Columbus Zoo.
Keep an eye out for future updates—we can’t wait to share their journey with you.
Columbus Zoo Hours and Rates Australia and the Islands region
A Global First, A Local Legacy
This world-first moment puts the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on the map as a leader in aquatic animal care and conservation science. And it’s thanks to your continued support that we can make discoveries like this possible.
Stay curious. Stay inspired. And thank you for helping us protect the world’s most fascinating creatures—one tiny seadragon at a time.
