page 3 of 3 - The two RV Gypsies at Aquarium of the Pacific

NOTE: Karen Duquette loves sea dragons and sea horses.

Below: The common or weedy sea dragon occurs off the coast of Tasmania and in Australian waters ranging from the Eastern Indian Ocean to the South Western Pacific Ocean. These sea dragons have small leaf-like appendages on their fins and a few protective spines. The animals are reddish, with purple and red markings. Males are darker and narrower than females. Common sea dragons reach a length of 18 inches. They are found in reefs, seaweed, and sea grass. There are 3 species of sea dragons. There are also weedy sea dragons, but none were here.

The sea dragon is a small fish found in shallow coastal waters of Tasmania and southern and western Australia. The animals resemble seahorses in terms of size and body shape, but feature small, leaf-like fins that camouflage them from predators. While seahorses can grip objects with their tails, sea dragon tails are not prehensile. Sea dragons awkwardly propel themselves with their transparent dorsal and pectoral fins, but mainly drift with current.

Below: A seahorse is any of 46 species of small marine fish in the genus Hippocampus. "Hippocampus" comes from the Ancient Greek hippókampos, itself from híppos meaning "horse" and kámpos meaning "sea monster" or "sea animal". Having a head and neck suggestive of a horse, seahorses also feature segmented bony armour, an upright posture and a curled prehensile tail.

Seahorses are mainly found in shallow tropical and temperate salt water throughout the world, from about 45°S to 45°N. They live in sheltered areas such as sea grass beds, estuaries, coral reefs, and mangroves. Four species are found in Pacific waters from North America to South America. In the Atlantic, the dwarf seahorse is found in the Bahamas.

Below: Sea lions are characterized by external ear flaps and long fore flippers. They have short, thick hair and a big chest and belly. They have an average life span of 20 to 30 years. A male California sea lion weighs on average about 660 pounds and is about 8 feet long, while the female sea lion weighs 220 pounds and is 6 feet long. Sea lions consume large quantities of food at a time and are known to eat about 5 to 8% of their body weight, about 15 to 35 pounds at a single feeding. Sea lions can move around 18 mph in water and at their fastest they can reach a speed of about 35 mph. -

The sea lion tried to kiss Karen Duquette.

Below: Lee Duquette and fish at The Aquarium of the Pacific

Below: Anyone want a kiss from a fish ????

Below: From Beauty (above) to Beast (below).

Below: The fish looked like it was crying!