ANIMAL SPECIES:Spotted Handfish, Brachionichthys hirsutus (Lacepède, 1804)
The Spotted Handfish is a critically endangered species that lives in Tasmania. It has an extremely restricted distribution due partially to its unusual life cycle.
Alternative Names/s
The species has also been called the Prickly-skinned Handfish and Tortoiseshell Fish.Identification
The Spotted Handfish is pinkish above and white below, with darker orange, brown or blackish spots. It has a high first dorsal fin originating on the snout and a long based soft rayed dorsal fin. There is a long illicium on the snout.
Size range
The species grows to about 12 cm in standard length.Distribution
The Spotted Handfish is endemic to south-eastern Australia, occurring in the lower Derwent River estuary, Frederick Henry Bay, D'Entrecasteaux Channel and the northern regions of Storm Bay.
Habitat
It is a benthic species, usually found on sandy bottoms in depths from 5 m to 40 m, although more commonly at 5 m to 10 m.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
The Spotted Handfish eats crustaceans, polychaete worms and small shells.
Life cycle
Spawning occurs in September and October . Females lay egg masses on vertical objects such as stalked ascidians, sponges and seagrasses. The female guards the egg masses. After 7 to 8 weeks, fully formed juveniles (6 mm to 7 mm long) hatch from the eggs and drop to the substrate below.
Conservation Status
The species is listed as critically endangered on both the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and the ASFB Threatened Fishes Committee listings. Its decline has been attributed to a number of factors including predation by the Northern Pacific Seastar (Asterias amurensis), habitat modification and heavy metal contamination.
Conservation Status (IUCN):
CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (CR)
Classification
- Species:
- hirsutus
- Genus:
- Brachionichthys
- Family:
- Brachionichthyidae
- Order:
- Lophiiformes
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
References
- Bruce, B.D., Green, M.A. & P.R. Last. 1999. Aspects of the biology of the endangered spotted handfish, Brachionichthys hirsutus (Lophiiformes: Brachionichthyidae) off southern Australia. pp. 369-380 in Séret B. & J.-Y. Sire, (eds) Proceedings of the 5th Indo-Pacific Fish Conference,Noumea, New Caledonia, 3-8 November 1997. Paris :Societe Française d'Ichtyologie. Pp. 888.
- Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Pogonoski, J.J., Pollard, D.A. & J.R. Paxton. 2002. Conservation Overview and Action Plan for Australian Threatened and Potentially Threatened Marine and Estuarine Fishes. Canberra: Environment Australia. Pp. 375.
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Spotted Handfish, Brachionichthys hirsutus View full size
Phil Malin
© Phil Malin
Spotted Handfish, Brachionichthys hirsutus, in of the Derwent River View full size
Phil Malin
© Phil Malin
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