Spotted handfish

Brachionichthys hirsutus

Brachionichthys hirsutus is a rare species of fish that lived endemic in the coastal waters of Tasmania at depths of two to 40 meters on the seabed. Today its occurrence is limited to the mouth of the river Dervent.

Features

The fish are 15 inches long. They have a small " Esca " ( decoy dummy of Armflosser ) that reaches 15 to 26 percent of the length of the slender Angel ( " Illicium "). The body is covered by dense scales. For all scales, except for those along the lateral line organ, located in the center of the shed base a sting. The length of these spines is different.

The top of the body is patterned with small, dark dots or short strokes; on the caudal fin are the points closer.

Fins formula: Dorsal II/17-19, Anal 8-10, pectoral 7

Way of life

Brachionichthys hirsutus lives on muddy or sandy ground, often near rocks or in cavities that are filled with shells. He moves his hand-shaped fins on the ground, which looks as if it run. The spawning season is between September and October. During this period, the female lays about 80-250 eggs with a diameter of 1,8 to 2 millimeters. Hand fish have no larval stage, but leave than 6 to 7 mm long, fully trained young fish eggs.

Endangering

Brachionichthys hirsutus is on the verge of extinction because its scrim tapes are eaten by the amurensis not originally native in Tasmania starfish Asterias. He also suffers from habitat loss and the heavy metal input from wastewater. The species is on the Red List of the World Conservation Union as threatened with extinction ( " Critically Endangered " ) out.