Brachionichthyidae

Spotted handfish

Brachionichthys hirsutus

Fins like hands walking the Derwent riverbed

• Temperate
• Southern Hemisphere
• Local endemic species
• Restricted distribution
• Marine fish
• Pacific Ocean
• Oceania
• Elongated
• Medium
• Temperate fish

The spotted handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus) is a rare Australian fish in the handfish family, Brachionichthyidae, classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List 2020. It has a highly restricted range, being found only in the estuary of River Derwent, Tasmania, and nearby areas, with the main threat to its existence being an invasive species, the Northern Pacific seastar (Asterias amurensis). The spotted handfish is an unusual fish, in that it has highly adapted pectoral fins, which appear like hands (hence the name) and allow it to walk on the sea floor.