Rare Pink Handfish Filmed

[Tassi Devil Diver]

Discovery of a rare and endangered pink handfish on the wreck of the SS Tasman on the Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania at a depth of 70m. The pink handfish has only been seen by divers on three other occasions. These are the first images of the pink handfish taken by divers in its natural environment. This video covers the moments leading up to and including the discovery of this rare little fish. Be aware that during the excitement of the discovery some profanity was expressed under the influence of rich helium breathing mix, a phenomenon previously recognized by the ichthyologist Richard Pyle on his deep rebreather dives looking for fish specimens.

 

[rmorgan]

It’s not extinct yet! Congratulations on a wondrous find.

 

[RIHappyDiver]

That’s fantastic! Thanks for sharing this video.

 

[johndiver999]

I bet they killed it and put it in a jar.

 

[JohnN]

Discovery of a rare and endangered pink handfish on the wreck of the SS Tasman on the Tasman Peninsula, Tasmania at a depth of 70m. The pink handfish has only been seen by divers on three other occasions. These are the first images of the pink handfish taken by divers in its natural environment. This video covers the moments leading up to and including the discovery of this rare little fish. Be aware that during the excitement of the discovery some profanity was expressed under the influence of rich helium breathing mix, a phenomenon previously recognized by the ichthyologist Richard Pyle on his deep rebreather dives looking for fish specimens.

Mmmm. . . tastey

 

[Tassi Devil Diver]

I bet they killed it and put it in a jar.

Ha, I can assure you the little fish was not killed and put in a jar.

 

[Pressurehead]

ABC Australia story :

Fragile red handfish evacuated from habitat ahead of heatwave

Trusted and independent source of local, national and world news. In-depth analysis, business, sport, weather and more.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Tassi Devil Diver]

These are such amazing little fish they use their petrel fins like modified hands and lop around on the bottom. There are 14 species of handfish found in southern eastern Australia of which 9 are endemic to the coastal waters of Tasmania in depth from a few metres to around 300m. Most are only known from a handfull of sightings. In my 30 years of diving I have encountered four species, the spotted handfish only found in the Derwent river estuary and adjacent embayment's, the red hand handfish now only restricted to one site the size of a tennis court and is on the brink of extinction, the Ziebell's handfish which has not been seen for over 10 years, my sighting was the last recorded (unfortunately no photo) and now the pink handfish, seems now restricted to waters deeper than 60m, I have managed to get photos of three species.

Spotted Handfish

Red Handfish

Pink Handfish

 

[Tassi Devil Diver]

ABC Australia story :

Relates to the red handfish that is on the brink of extinction and requires the extraordinary intervention as outlined in the ABC article.

 

[Centrals]

Remind me of the red lipped batfish that I saw in Cocos Island.