Sea Dragon

In captivity
Due to being protected by law, obtaining sea dragons is often an expensive and difficult process as they must be from captive bred stock, and exporters must prove their broodstock were caught before collecting restrictions went into effect, or that they had a license to collect dragons. To date, only the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, Tennessee has been able to breed the leafy sea dragon. It first succeeded in doing so in 2003. Sea dragons have a specific level of protection under federal fisheries legislation as well as in most Australian states where they occur.
Sea dragons are difficult to maintain in aquaria. Success in keeping them has been largely confined to the public aquarium sector, due to funding and knowledge that would not be available to the average enthusiast.