Can You Believe There's a Fish with Hands? The Endangered Handfish

Have you ever heard of a fish that walks on land using its fins?

This fish, which looks like it has arms, is called the Red Handfish. It is a rare species discovered in Australia in 2018, with an estimated population of around 100 individuals reported to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Red Handfish is said to inhabit the waters of Tasmania Island, located in the southern part of Australia.

But the Red Handfish isn't the only fish with hand-like fins. In 2021, the Pink Handfish was rediscovered after 22 years, and there are other species like the Spotted Handfish and the Ziebell's Handfish.

Due to their unique appearance, Handfishes have become increasingly popular as pets, leading to an increase in illegal poaching. Some individuals have even been caught collecting Handfish eggs. All Handfish species are critically endangered and face severe threats of extinction.

The Red Handfish, Spotted Handfish, and Ziebell's Handfish are all listed as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List, while the Pink Handfish is classified as Endangered (EN).

The Red Handfish's endangered status is believed to be caused by climate change-induced temperature fluctuations and water pollution. The discharge of polluted water from urban areas into the sea has led to the destruction of their habitat. Given their extremely low reproductive rate, it's challenging for the Red Handfish population to recover naturally.

In an effort to conserve the species, the Institute for Marine & Antarctic Studies (IMAS) team at the University of Tasmania attempted artificial breeding of the Red Handfish. Their efforts were successful, resulting in the birth of 21 Red Handfish. With such a small population and facing extreme extinction threats, various conservation efforts are underway to protect them.

The Handfish Conservation Project is dedicated to preserving various Handfish species, including the Red Handfish.

Among these efforts, one project particularly stands out: a project that allows people to name the Handfish. For a donation of $1,000, supporters can give a name to one of the fewer than 100 remaining Red Handfish. While this doesn't allow you to keep a Red Handfish as a pet, it's a great way to show your love and support for the species. The funds raised from these donations are used for Red Handfish conservation research, including protecting and monitoring the fish. Many Handfish still await a name, so why not consider giving one a name?

Ziebell's Handfish has not been sighted for over a decade, raising concerns about its extinction. The Handfish Conservation Project is also seeking reports on any sightings of Ziebell's Handfish. In addition to these efforts, the project continues to work towards protecting the Handfish habitat, conducting research, and monitoring their population to prevent their extinction. With the continued dedication of researchers and the growing awareness of the public, we hope that Handfish will continue to grace our oceans for many years to come.