Spotted Handfish. (Brachionichthys hirsutus) Can we just take the time to appreciate the fact
Spotted Handfish. (Brachionichthys hirsutus) Can we just take the time to appreciate the fact that this fish has fins like hands?? HANDS?? One of the world’s most critically endangered fish, the spotted handfish is endemic to the lower Derwent River estuary in Tasmania, and was a relatively common species until the 1980s, when it’s numbers began to decline rapidly. Although unproven, it is thought that the introduction of the northern Pacific seastar (Asterias amurensis) to Tasmania at this time may be responsible for this sudden drop, as they are believed to eat the eggs of the handfish. This extremely distinctive fish is almost pear-shaped and has hand-like paired fins that enable it to ‘walk’ along the seafloor. They are cream in colour with a myriad of dusky brown, and occasionally yellow-brown spots, the pattern of which is unique to each individual. Some individuals also have orange markings on their fins. Definitely my new favourite fish. IT SORT OF HAS HANDS. C'MON PEOPLE. Image source 1. Image source 2. -- source link
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