#spottedhandfish

      The spotted handfish or scientifically, the Brachionichthys hirsutus, is in the Animalia kingdom, Chordata phylum, Actinopterygii class, Lophiiformes order, Brachionichthyidae family, and Brachionichthys genus. 

      The spotted handfish is described as a type of anglerfish recognized by their hand-like fins allowing them to walk on the ocean’s floor. Their hand-like fins include their pectoral and ventral fins. To swim, they use their anal and tail fins, however, it only occurs rarely. They are pinkish above and white below with each handfish covered in unique patterns of dark, brown, or blackish spots. On their ‘pear-shaped’ body, they are covered with small, tooth-like scales which are called denticles. Their body length is about 6 inches (15.24 centimeters) in length. Spotted handfish are carnivores with a diet consisting of shrimps, amphipods, worms, and small fish. To lure their prey, they use esca which is a fleshy structure on their front dorsal fin that is modified into long filament and they quickly suck in their prey.

      The spotted handfish is found in south-eastern Australia in the lower Derwent River from where the tide meets the stream in Tasmania. They are a benthic species meaning their habitat is at the bottom of the water. They are found in coastal waters on coarse to fine sand and silt at depths of 2 to 40 meters. 

      The spotted handfish breeding season occurs from September to October. Reproduction begins by a male performing courtship rituals to attract females. The female then lays around 80 to 250 eggs on sea squirts, seaweed, or sponges. The female guards the eggs for about 7 to 8 weeks until the handfish hatch and settle on the sea floor as fully developed juveniles, measuring about 6 to 7 millimeters. At 2 to 3 years old, they become sexually mature.

Fun Fact: The spotted handfish is one of the world’s most endangered marine fish, listed as ‘critically endangered’ on the IUCN Red List. 

http://www.arkive.org/spotted-handfish/brachionichthys-hirsutus/

https://australianmuseum.net.au/spotted-handfish-brachionichthys-hirsutus-lacepede-1804