During an exploration of a shipwreck off Tasmania’s coast, scuba divers were astonished to encounter an exceedingly rare pink handfish, capturing footage of the elusive creature. Concealed among coral-covered debris, the handfish, identified as Brachiopsilus dianthus, displayed its distinctive hand-like pectoral fins. Encounters with the pink handfish have been exceptionally scarce since its discovery in 1947.
The discovery occurred during a dive to explore the SS Tasman, a Dutch steamship that sank in 1873 near the granite island of Hippolyte Rocks. Brad Turner, a member of the dive team, expressed that while their primary objective was to survey the wreck, the handfish stole the spotlight.
Located 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) from Tasmania’s mainland, the SS Tasman’s remains lie submerged due to a collision with an uncharted reef during an attempted passage. Although the 29 passengers and crew members were rescued, 75 cows were left aboard.
This dive was part of a series commemorating the 140th anniversary of the ship’s sinking. At a depth of 230 feet (70 meters), divers had a limited exploration time of 25 minutes, closely monitoring their oxygen levels for a safe ascent lasting 90 minutes. As the dive concluded, they were surprised to encounter a second pink handfish, just 32 feet (10 meters) from the first.
Brachiopsilus dianthus is one of four endangered handfish species native to Tasmania. Lacking swim bladders, handfish rely on rocky seabeds for buoyancy and can only swim short distances. Their unique camouflage resembles sponges, aiding in predator avoidance, while their specialized pectoral fins facilitate hunting.
Contrary to prior beliefs of inhabiting shallow waters, recent observations using remote underwater video and autonomous vehicles revealed pink handfish living at depths of around 394 feet (120 meters). Researchers speculate that warming shallow waters are prompting a migration to cooler, deeper regions, raising concerns about the species’ survival amid climate change.
Associate Professor Neville Barrett from the University of Tasmania emphasized the urgent need for conservation efforts, warning that the species could face extinction within the next century due to habitat threats posed by global warming.
