See the Super Rare Handfish That Has Only Been Spotted 2 Times Before

The deep ocean is a mysterious place, and its inhabitants are also peculiar. One such animal was recently photographed for the first time in 25 years! This article will reveal the interesting subject of an incredible discovery.

On a recent expedition in southeast Australia, scientists made an incredible discovery. CSIRO scientists were investigating the effects of climate on marine parks and fisheries. By an amazing stroke of luck, they captured the extremely rare narrowbody handfish (Pezichthys compressus) on camera. This was the first sighting of the elusive species since 1996!

 CSIRO researchers were employing a deep tow camera system northeast of Flinders Island in Tasmania. At a depth of 292 meters (958 feet), they came upon a fish that appeared to be a handfish, but before enhancing the image, the exact species was unclear. A marine ecologist and a research technician onboard the vessel, Dr. Candice Untiedt and Carlie Devine respectively, were able to identify the fish as a narrowbody handfish. Without collecting the animal, however, the species cannot be classified with complete certainty. The narrowbody handfish is only known to scientists from two specimens and the two previous specimens were significantly smaller than the newly discovered individual. They were also from a different location approximately 100 km away.

What Are Handfish?

There are 14 species of handfish and 7 of them are endemic to Tasmania. CSIRO discovered the narrowbody handfish in 1986 and last documented it in 1996. The two specimens are currently in the Australian National Fish Collection.

The narrowbody handfish is a type of demersal anglerfish. Demersal fish live in deep water near the seafloor. Handfish have interesting adaptations that facilitate them in this environment. Their odd fins that resemble human hands propel themselves along the seafloor by “walking” rather than swimming. As a type of anglerfish, they also have an Illicium, a modified dorsal fin above the mouth. Although, this anatomical feature likely does not act as a lure as it does in other anglerfish species.

How Many Handfish Are There?

Handfish are incredibly rare. In fact, the spotted handfish was the first critically endangered marine fish on the IUCN Red List. Scientists believe that there are fewer than 3,000 spotted handfish alive today. The Red List also lists Ziebell’s handfish and the red handfish as critically endangered. Active conservation efforts seek to protect handfish and repopulate them through captive breeding.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Jane Rix/Shutterstock.com