CSIRO Science Image

Newly hatched spotted handfish in a laboratory aquarium. Spotted handfish are 6-7 mm in length at hatching and grow to about 50 mm in their first year.

Handfish are small, bottom-dwelling fishes that would rather walk on their pectoral and pelvic fins than swim. They are native to Australia and five of the eight identified handfish species are found only in Tasmania and Bass Strait. The spotted handfish is endemic to Tasmanias lower Derwent River estuary. In 1996, the spotted handfish became the first Australian marine fish to be listed as endangered. Scientists, government and the community are involved in a federally-funded recovery plan for the spotted handfish led by CSIRO Marine Research.

Picture credit: Thor Carter/CSIRO Marine Research

Photographer : Thor Carter/CSIRO Marine Research

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•  endangered species   fish   fisheries and aquaculture   marine life   native animals