Scientists have released 65 captive-raised red handfish into the wild in Tasmania. This is an important step in protecting one of Australia's rarest fish species.
The red handfish (Thymichthys politus) is Critically Endangered. It grows to about 8 cm long and is known for its bright colour and hand-like fins, which it uses to walk along the sea floor.
Fewer than 250 red handfish are estimated to remain in the wild, living in patches of small rocky reef in Frederick Henry Bay, Tasmania.
The release is part of a 3-year pilot program led by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies. This is part of broader red handfish recovery initiatives under the Handfish Conservation Project. The project supports the survival of red handfish through:
- captive breeding - creating a safe population to support wild recovery
- 'handfish school' - training captive fish to survive in the wild before release
- habitat restoration - improving reef conditions at the release site
- monitoring and research - tracking released fish to understand their behaviour and survival.
The project began in 2018 and is funded by the Foundation for Australia's Most Endangered Species with our support, alongside:
- Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania
- Seahorse World
- Sorell Council.
This important work is carried out in consultation with the National Handfish Recovery Team (NHRT). The NHRT coordinate the implementation of the multi-species Handfish Recovery Plan that guides the conservation of the species.
The red handfish is one of 110 priority species under our Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032. We are proud to have provided funding support for the project and to see its success.
We remain committed to working with partners, scientists, and communities to give Australia's rarest species the best chance of survival.
