At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Fish
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- FaunaHub record reviewed
- Checked against IUCN
- Matches source — IUCN's 2020 global assessment of Brachionichthys hirsutus says Critically EndangeredChecked 2026-10-09 against IUCN's Red List export published 2026-07-28 · assessment
Conservation overview
The spotted handfish is an unusual fish that 'walks' on the seabed using hand-like fins. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
It lays eggs around objects on the seabed and has a very small range in Tasmania.
Range & habitat
The estuary of the Derwent River and nearby waters in Tasmania, Australia.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Habitat disturbance and loss of spawning sites
- An introduced seastar that eats its eggs' anchoring stalks
- A tiny range
Why it matters
A walking fish confined to a couple of Tasmanian estuaries, the spotted handfish is a flagship for conserving fragile seabed habitats.
Sources
Sources for Spotted Handfish
- IUCN Red List — look up Spotted Handfish (authoritative status)
- FishBase
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the spotted handfish 'walk'?
Instead of swimming much, it uses its hand-shaped pectoral fins to clamber and 'walk' across the seabed, an unusual way of moving for a fish.
Why is the spotted handfish Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite habitat disturbance and loss of spawning sites, an introduced seastar that disturbs its egg-laying, and its tiny range. See the IUCN Red List.