Divers James Parkinson, Brad Turner, and Bob Van Der Velde have been exploring the wreck of the SS Tasman earlier this 12 months after they got here throughout a uncommon and endangered creature—a pink handfish. The grumpy-looking fish shouldn’t be solely very uncommon but in addition very odd.
The handfish has a big mouth, which seems barely downturned, as if it’s frowning. Dwelling as much as its identify, the handfish additionally “walks” alongside the seafloor with its “fingers” (modified pectoral fins). Handfishes are a sort of anglerfish (associated to the deep-sea anglerfish with the dangling lure), in order that mohawky factor on prime of the pink handfish’s head simply runs within the household.
All dozen or so handfish species dwell within the waters surrounding Tasmania and Australia. The SS Tasman wreck sits 230 toes under the floor close to the Tasman Peninsula, and that’s the place Parkinson, Turner, and Van Der Velde noticed and filmed this specific animal.
In a YouTube video by Tasmanian Underwater Explorer, who doesn’t determine himself by identify, you’ll be able to watch the moments main as much as the invention and the invention itself. The caption claims divers have solely seen a pink handfish on three different events. Tasmanian Underwater Explorer additionally claims these are the primary photographs divers have taken of the uncommon fish.
Watch the invention right here:
Pink Handfish Are at Danger of Extinction
The Worldwide Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists pink handfish as “endangered” on its Purple Checklist of Threatened Species. Since handfishes’ vary could be very restricted (these are strolling fish, in any case, how far can they go?), the animals are significantly in danger from habitat destruction and altering local weather of their surroundings. The truth is, IUCN declared one species, the graceful handfish, extinct as lately as 2020.
Have you ever ever heard of a fish with “fingers”?
