Ocean Rider announces one of our Phycodurus Eques - Leafy Seahorse,  laid eggs on March 30 2010. Although she missed the spot it is a significant event on the road to  successful breeding. A native of southern and western Australia, the "Leafy" is facing extinction in the wild and is  highly protected.

Ocean Rider is permitted to breed these endangered Leafy Sea Dragons and in so doing, becoming the first successful captive breeders of this endangered species in the world.  This will eliminate  the need to take these rare and exotic sea dragons from the wild  preserving and protecting the last remaining wild "Leafys"  forever.

The breeding of this cousin of the seahorse is considered to be the holy grail of marine aquarium aquaculture.  It is extremely difficult in part due to the fact that these delicate dragons require an environment of complete peace and quiet, a specific photoperiod,  extremely clean sea water, very large breeding areas,  and a  diet of live micro  shrimp with just the right balance of  long chain fatty acids. 

Ocean Rider has been successful in breeding over 25 different endangered seahorse species from  around the world. We are now focusing on the Dragons and the Hawaiian  Reef Fish as well.  The successful breeding of these endangered species helps to protect our  coral reefs and coastal waterways around the world caused by the overfishing of these reef fish for pets and food.

We would like to say thank you to all our friends for supporting  Ocean Rider and the Seahorse Hawaii Foundation over the last 12 years!!

Mahalo,
Carol and Craig