Spotted handfish  (Brachionichthys hirsutus)

Authenticated (18/11/02) by Rudie Kuiter. Managing Editor, Zoonetics erBOOKS.

• Amphipods: a group of small shrimp-like crustaceans that includes sandhoppers, beach hoppers, and water lice.
• Anal fin: in fish, an unpaired fin on the under surface of a fish, behind the anus.
• Colonies: a group of organisms living together. Individuals in the group are not physiologically connected and may not be related, such as a colony of birds. Another meaning refers to organisms, such as bryozoans, which are composed of numerous genetically identical modules (also referred to as zooids or ‘individuals’), which are produced by budding and remain physiologically connected.
• Crustaceans: diverse group of arthropods (a phylum of animals with jointed limbs and a hard chitinous exoskeleton) characterised by the possession of two pairs of antennae, one pair of mandibles (parts of the mouthparts used for handling and processing food) and two pairs of maxillae (appendages used in eating, which are located behind the mandibles). Includes crabs, lobsters, shrimps, slaters, woodlice and barnacles.
• Endemic: a species or taxonomic group that is only found in one particular country or geographic area.
• Invertebrate: animals with no backbone.
• Pectoral fins: in fish, the pair of fins that are found one on each side of the body just behind the gills. They are generally used for balancing and braking.
• Re-introduction: an attempt to establish a native species back into an area where it previously occurred.
• Ventral fins: in fish, the pair of fins found on the underside of the body

1. IUCN Red List (April, 2008)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org
2. Oz Reef Marine Park (August, 2002)
   http://ozreef.org/reference/handfish.html
3. CSIRO Marine Research. (1998) Information Sheet No. 19: Australia’s First Endangered Marine Fish.CSIRO, Australia. Available at: http://www.marine.csiro.au/LeafletsFolder/19handfish.html
4. Kuiter, R. (2002) Pers. comm.
5. The Savage South(Sunburnt Pictures tx. 1998).
6. Bruce, B.D. and Green, M.A. (1998) The Spotted Handfish 1999-2001 Recovery Plan.Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage, and the Arts, Canberra, Australia.