Seadragons at Florida Aquarium get help from tiny life vests
TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) - Some leafy seadragons at the Florida Aquarium got a little manmade help to swim upright.
The tiny, unusual-looking creatures that look like sea horses with big leaves all over them were having trouble swimming because their swim bladders were not developing normally.
So the aquarium's veterinarians made them "buoyancy control devices" that look like tiny pool noodles, made of neoprene so they could stay afloat.
The neoprene is what wetsuits are made of and are gentle for the seadragons, but stand up to the salt water.
Each one is individually fitted and helps them hover in the water without them having to overexert themselves trying not to sink.
Until they are full grown, veterinarians will make new harnesses for them every two-to-three weeks as they grow to keep up with their size.
The veterinarians say as soon as they got fitted with their new harnesses, they began to thrive and eat again. "The hope is that being able to provide this kind of support will let them live a normal, healthy life," said veterinarian Ari Fustukjian.