The Sailfin Dragon are one of the most beloved amphibious marine life species in the world. Due to their iconic shape, they make perfect aquarium creatures. Bonnet-shaped mushrooms made of silicone that look like real aquatic dragon skin are beautiful and fascinating. The sailfin dragon is part of the Spitz family, a large and predatory marine creature. It lives along coasts and in inland waters in Europe and Asia.
What does a Salfin Dragon look like?!
Their appearance has changed little throughout evolution and this can be clearly seen by their shape and markings. They feature a girthy body, agile legs with elongated toes, and a long tail. However, there are a few more standout features make this lizard easy to identify. Both males and females are sporting a well-defined crest and of course they can be identified by the ‘sail-fin’ on their back (hence the name of the species!) The sailfin dragon size is about 3 feet. The males are larger than the females and can reach up to 4 feet long.
Do Sailfin Dragons Hibernate?
Yes, they hibernate during the winter and are active during the summer months and early fall.
What do Sailfin Dragons eat?
They hunt their prey by jumping out of the water and catching fish, crustaceans and amphibians in their mouths. They are omnivores and eat plants, small fish, crustaceans and amphibians that they can catch while swimming or land on its back legs. The mouth is small and they can only bite slightly smaller prey such as small fish and freshwater insects. Although they are carnivorous, they will also eat algae and seaweed when it is available.
The Mating Behaviour of a Sailfin Dragon
The sailfin dragon displays interesting mating rituals. These involve dance-like displays and vocalizations to attract females to suitable habitat sites. Males also display their maturity by inflating and excreting a substance from the anal sack.
Is a Sailfin Dragon easy to keep?
The sailfin dragon is a popular aquarium inhabitant and they can be kept in many environments including fresh and salt water and in reef aquariums as well as marine aquariums. They are relatively easy to care for once acclimated to the aquarium but special care should be taken not to expose them to abrupt temperature changes or to water that is too dirty or polluted with nutrients that encourage algae growth. They have a high metabolism and therefore require high-quality and fresh seafood to stay healthy and active. If you are interested in keeping a sailfin dragon then you might like to read about setting up a sailfin dragon enclosure or sailfin dragon care.
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