handfish
Fins become limbs
Handfish are small bottom-dwelling fish with modified pectoral fins that resemble hands, which they use to walk along the seafloor rather than swim.
Found primarily in waters around Tasmania, several species are critically endangered.
The spotted handfish was one of the first marine fish listed as endangered.
Bioluminescent deep-sea predator
Island state below Australia
- HobartTasmanian capital city
- endemicNative to one area
- AustralianFrom the southern continent
Fish steering appendages
- gillsAquatic respiratory organs
- lureThing that tempts
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
- benthicOf the sea bottom
Locomotion on foot
At risk of extinction
- critically endangeredAt extinction's edge
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
- habitat lossElimination of living spaces
protection · recovery plan · captive breeding · sanctuary · biodiversity · vulnerable · preservation · overfishing
Underwater rock or coral formation
- seagrassSaltwater flowering plant
- sandy bottomGrit-covered underwater surface
- estuaryTidal mixing zone
- shallow watersLow-depth aquatic zones
temperate · marine · coastal · tide pools · substrate
anglerfish
Bioluminescent deep-sea predator
Tasmania
Island state below Australia
- HobartTasmanian capital city
- endemicNative to one area
- AustralianFrom the southern continent
pectoral fins
Fish steering appendages
- gillsAquatic respiratory organs
- lureThing that tempts
- camouflageConcealment through visual blending
walking
Locomotion on foot
endangered
At risk of extinction
- critically endangeredAt extinction's edge
- threatenedExpressed intent to harm
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
habitat loss · protection · recovery plan · captive breeding · sanctuary · biodiversity · vulnerable · preservation · overfishing · invasive species
reef
Underwater rock or coral formation
- seagrassSaltwater flowering plant
- sandy bottomGrit-covered underwater surface
- estuaryTidal mixing zone
shallow waters · temperate · marine · coastal · tide pools · substrate
handfishtuna
Large edible ocean fish
mackerel · sailfish · flying fish · mako shark · marlin
handfishanchovy
Small, salty forage fish
sardine · herring · common carp · tilapia · invasive species
hand, fish, hands, handed, handing, handy, handily, handful, handfuls