Handfish Species Stock Video Footage

Handfish are any anglerfish within the family Brachionichthyidae, a group which comprises five genera and 14 extant species. These benthic marine fish are unusual in the way they propel themselves by walking on the sea floor rather than swimming. Handfish are found today in the coastal waters of southern and eastern Australia and Tasmania. This is the most species-rich of the few marine fish families endemic to the Australian region. The biology of handfishes is poorly known and their typically small population sizes and restricted distributions make them highly vulnerable to disturbance. Some species are considered to be critically endangered. Learn more about Handfish