Spotted handfish (Four Legged Fish)

Spotted handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus) is one of the most endangered marine fish species in the world. These fish are very distinctive almost pear-shaped and unusually, has a 'paired fins' hands as it makes it possible to 'walk' along the bottom of the sea, both pectoral fins and belly used in this motion.

While swimming through the water, paired fins or 'median' (such as the tail and anal fins) are used. This fish is cream in color with a lot of dark brown and sometimes yellow-brown spots, a pattern unique to each individual. Some individuals also have an orange sign on their fins. Handfish have little temptation just above their mouths, the function of which is not known, but it does not seem to be used to attract prey.

size 

 Length: 10-15 cm

Biology

Spotted handfish spawn during September and October, males attract females with his courtship display. Compared with other fish, females produce relatively small amounts of eggs, about 80 to 250 eggs spawned and is often positioned around the base of the sea squirt (a jelly-like invertebrates). The female guards the eggs for seven to eight weeks to hatch fully formed juvenile. This young small measure only six to seven millimeters and when they appear, move straight down the bottom of the sea, instead of spreading.
Spotted handfish feed by sucking prey include shrimp, small fish and small crustaceans such as amphipods  

Distance

Endemic to the mouth of the River Derwent lower in Tasmania, the Spotted handfish is a relatively common species until the 1980's. The species has declined massively, however, only three colonies are known to exist in 1998.

Babitat

spotted handfish found in coarse to fine sand and mud, in coastal waters from depths of 2 to 30 m (3).