Spotted handfish  (Brachionichthys hirsutus)

Description

The spotted handfish is one of the world's most endangered marine fish. This extremely distinctive fish is almost pear-shaped (2) and unusually, has hand-like 'paired fins' that enable it to 'walk' along the seafloor (3); both the pectoral and ventral fins are used in this locomotion (4). When swimming through the water, the unpaired or 'median' fins (such as the tail and anal fin) are used (4). These fish are cream in colour with a myriad of dusky brown, and occasionally yellow-brown spots (4), the pattern of which is unique to each individual (3). Some individuals also have orange markings on their fins. Handfish have a small lure just above their mouth, the function of which is unknown but does not appear to be used to entice prey (4).

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