Spotted Handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus) - Tasmania, Australia скачать в хорошем качестве

Spotted Handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus) - Tasmania, Australia

The Spotted Handfish (Brachionichthys hirsutus) is a rare Australian fish endemic to Tasmania that is found only in the Derwent Estuary and Storm Bay area of southeastern Tasmania. It is classified as Critically Endangered. Once relatively common, Spotted Handfish became extremely rare after the arrival of the Pacific Seastar (Asterias amurensis) - an introduced marine pest that arrived in the Derwent Estuary in the 1980's, probably via ballast water in commercial shipping. The Seastars devastated the marine life in the region and in particular, destroyed the stalked ascidian colonies the Spotted Handfish most commonly attach their eggs to. It was feared that the Spotted Handfish had become extinct in the 1990's, but a small population has survived. It is considered Critically Endangered, and extremely vulnerable to habitat destruction and climate change due to its small population and restricted distribution. Handfish (family Brachionichthyidae) are a primitive family related to the anglerfish and frogfish, and are found only in southern Australia. They get their name from the way they use their pectoral (side) fins like hands to grip the bottom. They rarely swim - they prefer to walk along the bottom on their fins. They feed on small invertebrates, particularly mysids. All handfish lay egg masses that are brooded by the female, and they hatch as miniatures of the adult - there is no larval dispersal stage. Filmed by Michael Baron. All footage and images in this video are © Michael Baron, Eaglehawk Dive Centre, all rights reserved. No part of this video can be used in any way and/or in any form without written permission. To use this video in a commercial player, advertising or in broadcasts, please email Viral Spiral and Rightster: licensing@rightster.com