Marine life
Spotted Handfish
Brachionichthys hirsutus
A critically endangered Tasmanian fish that walks on its fins and lives almost nowhere.
The spotted handfish is one of the rarest and strangest fish in Australian waters. Instead of swimming, it walks across the seabed on modified pectoral fins that look unmistakably like hands.
It is critically endangered and confined to a very small area of the Derwent Estuary and D'Entrecasteaux Channel in southeast Tasmania. The population decline is linked to habitat change and the introduced Northern Pacific seastar, which preys on the sea squirts the fish uses as spawning anchors.
This is not a species to go looking for casually. Encounters are rare, sites are sensitive, and the correct response to finding one is to report it to the relevant monitoring programme and leave it entirely alone.
| Scientific name | Brachionichthys hirsutus |
|---|---|
| Typical size | Around 10–12 cm |
| Conservation status | Critically endangered |
| Peak months | September, October |
| Documented sites | 1 |
| States | Tasmania |
- small, squat body with tan to cream colouring and darker spots
- pectoral fins modified into hand-like limbs
- a lure on the forehead, like other anglerfish
- walks rather than swims
- Walks across silty seabed on pectoral and pelvic fins.
- Lays eggs around vertical structures such as sea squirts and stalked ascidians.
- Extremely sedentary — individuals may remain in a small area for life.
In-water etiquette
Spotted Handfish is critically endangered. How divers behave around it genuinely matters.
- Do not touch, move or disturb under any circumstances.
- Maintain excellent buoyancy — these are silty habitats and sediment smothers egg masses.
- Report sightings to local monitoring programmes rather than publicising precise locations.
Where to see them
Sites where this species is documented as a reliable encounter.
Often seen on the same dives
Frequently asked questions
Can I dive to see a spotted handfish?
Encounters are rare and the habitat is fragile. Local operators can advise, but this is a species to appreciate if you happen to find one rather than to target.
Last researched: September 2026. Dive businesses change frequently — confirm current services, prices and requirements directly with the operator before booking.