red handfish
The rarest fish on earth
Handfish are a type of anglerfish famous for their modified fins that resemble human hands, which they use to “walk” across the sea floor rather than swim.
Previously known from just one small 50m patch of reef in south-eastern Tasmania, red handfish are thought to have a total population of just 100 adults. Varying in colour from bright-red to light pink/ brown these tiny benthic fish are typically less than 10cm in length.
The video below shares the story of a recent discovery a second red handfish colony. At the end of the video you will learn about the latest conservation successes using a strategy called 'head-starting'.
Highly dependent on their seaweed habitat
The reproductive cycle of the red handfish is said to be complex but poorly understood. Their spawning season is from August to October, though unlike many marine species, they do not spend their early stages of life drifting as larvae within the water column, and therefore, have poor dispersal capacity which limits their ability to colonise new areas. The females lay their eggs at the base of diverse seaweeds or seagrass and stand guard until they hatch directly onto the sand as a fully developed juvenile between 4 and 6 mm in length.
A species at risk
Their risk of extinction is due to varying processes that affect their diverse seaweed habitat including pollution, excessive nutrients, warming seas and interactions associated with urchins and their predators. Additionally, collection for aquarium trade and invasive species are potential threats.
Lend a helping hand
Given their size, small range and wild remote habitats, red handfish are extremely difficult to find. If you see a red handfish or you think you might have seen one but you're not 100% , get in touch with the team at the Handfish Conservation Project.
Learn about the latest red handfish research or learn about their cousin, the spotted handfish.
Fast Facts:
Species: Thymichthys politus
Family: Brachionichthyidae
Order: Lophiiformes
Feeding: Small crustaceans and worms
Habitat: Partially sheltered sandy patches on shallow rocky reef
Distribution: Endemic to the GSR (only found in Tasmania)
Special Power: Special oversized “hands” instead of fins for walking rather than swimming
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