In which country is the Spotted Handfish native?

The Spotted Handfish is a small fish that lives on the sea bed in the cool, sheltered waters of south-east Tasmania. It has modified pelvic fins that look like “hands”, hence the name. While the handfish can swim when required, it usually uses the “hands” to “walk” across the seabed in search of food such as mysid shrimps.

The main habitat for this species is sandy to silty sea bed in the Derwent River estuary near Hobart, where it forms small, localised populations. This highly-localised distribution is quite uncommon for fish. The reason appears to be the fact that the adults are sedentary, they don’t move around very much. Also the larvae develop completely within the egg mass laid by the females.

The handfishes are a unique, Australian family of anglerfish, the most speciose of the few marine fish families endemic to Australia. The spotted handfish chooses habitats based on complex habitats with features such as depressions and ripple formations filled with shells, to avoid predators. Handfish are unusual, slow-moving, that prefer to 'walk' rather than swim. Their pectoral fins are leg-like with extremities resembling a human hand (hence their common name).

The Spotted Handfish is currently listed as Critically Endangered under the Commonwealth and as Endangered in Tasmania. A small population, restricted distribution and vulnerable life cycle are key. Habitat degradation and pest species have contributed to the species’ decline.