Handfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Handfish |
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| Brachionichthys hirsutus | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Lophiiformes |
| Suborder: | Antennarioidei |
| Family: | Brachionichthyidae T. N. Gill, 1878 |
| Genera | |
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Brachionichthys |
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Handfish are a special type of anglerfish that belong to the family called Brachionichthyidae. There are 14 different kinds of handfish alive today, found in five main groups (called genera). These amazing fish live on the bottom of the ocean and are unique because they usually walk on the seafloor instead of swimming!
Contents
Where Handfish Live
Today, you can find handfish in the ocean waters near southern and eastern Australia and Tasmania. This group of fish is special because most of its species are found only in the Australian region.
Scientists don't know a lot about handfish. They usually live in small groups and stay in specific areas. This makes them very sensitive to changes in their environment. Because of this, some types of handfish are in danger of disappearing forever.
Handfish Body Features
Handfish can grow up to 15 centimeters (about 6 inches) long. Their skin is covered with tiny, tooth-like scales called denticles. These scales make them feel rough, which is why they are sometimes called warty anglers.
These fish move slowly. Instead of swimming, they use their special front fins, called pectoral fins, to "walk" along the ocean floor. These fins look a lot like tiny hands, which is how they got their name. The scientific name, Brachionichthyidae, comes from the Latin word bracchium meaning "arm" and the Greek word ichthys meaning "fish".
Like other anglerfish, handfish have a small rod-like part above their mouth called an illicium. This is a changed fin ray. However, it is short and doesn't seem to be used to attract prey like a fishing lure. Another interesting feature is a crest formed by a flap of skin that connects two of their back fin spines.
Gallery of Handfish Species
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Spotted handfish, Brachionichthys hirsutus
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Red handfish, Thymichthys politus
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Warty handfish, Thymichthys verrucosus
Ancient Handfish Fossils
Scientists have found fossils of an ancient handfish species called Histionotophorus bassani. This fossil was found in a place called Monte Bolca and dates back about 55 million years. It's quite rare to find fossils of anglerfish, so finding this handfish fossil is very special!
Handfish Extinction and Danger
Sadly, some handfish species are disappearing. In March 2020, the smooth handfish (Sympterichthys unipennis) was officially declared extinct. This means it no longer exists anywhere in the world. It was once common and was one of the first fish described by European explorers in Australia. But it hadn't been seen for over a century. This was the first time a modern ocean fish was officially declared extinct.
In 1996, the spotted handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus) was listed as critically endangered. This means it is at very high risk of becoming extinct in the wild.
See also
In Spanish: Braquionictíidos para niños
