Veterinary pathologists have described a new fish disease found on the weedy and leafy seadragons.
The disease, a form of melanised fungus, was discovered in Leafy seadragons (Phycodurus eques) and Weedy seadragons (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) kept in aquariums and caused extensive lesions and necrosis of the gills, kidneys and other areas.
Experts from the Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science at the University of Connecticut said that the disease was caused by a fungus called Exophiala and identified the presence of both E. angulospora and an undescribed Exophiala fungus.
Nyaoke A, Weber ES, Innis C, Stremme D, Dowd C, Hinckley L, Gorton T, Wickes B, Sutton D, de Hoog S, Frasca S Jr. (2009) - Disseminated phaeohyphomycosis in weedy seadragons (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus) and leafy seadragons (Phycodurus eques) caused by species of Exophiala, including a novel species. J Vet Diagn Invest. 2009 Jan;21(1):69-79.