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Red Handfish (Thymichthys politus)

The red handfish is a small marine fish endemic to Tasmania, where it is now known from reefs in Frederick Henry Bay. Shallow rocky reefs, including areas with macroalgae and nearby seagrass, are important habitat to consider during works.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Critically endangered.

Tasmania, Threatened Species Protection Act 1995: Endangered.

Seasonal planning

Red Handfish spawn from August to October, with egg masses observed in late October to early November.

Seasonal evidence: From published sources for this species.

Timing varies between sites and years.

  • Breeding season: Red Handfish spawn from August to October, with egg masses observed in late October to early November.

Identification: Appearance

This small fish has hand-like pectoral and pelvic fins that it uses to walk across the seafloor. It can be red, brown or pink, and grows to less than about 10 cm long.

This small fish has hand-like pectoral and pelvic fins that it uses to walk across the seafloor. It can be red, brown or pink, and grows to less than about 10 cm long.

Identification: Confirming identity

Confirm the identity of any suspected record with a specialist and a photograph or voucher, as required by the relevant permit.

Distribution: Known range

The red handfish is endemic to Tasmania and is currently known from two small areas of reef near Primrose Sands in Frederick Henry Bay. Historical records include Port Arthur, Fortescue Bay, Lobster Point, the Forestier Peninsula and the north coast of Tasmania.

The red handfish is endemic to Tasmania and is currently known from two small areas of reef near Primrose Sands in Frederick Henry Bay. Historical records include Port Arthur, Fortescue Bay, Lobster Point, the Forestier Peninsula and the north coast of Tasmania.

Distribution: National mapping

The Commonwealth species distribution model (SNES) maps where the species or its habitat is known, likely or may occur. Use it with local records and site inspection.

Habitat: Habitat

It inhabits shallow coastal reefs, often among macroalgae, on rocks, or in sandy areas between rocks and at the reef-sand interface. It may also occur on nearby sediments with seagrass or weed clumps, at depths of about 1 to 20 m.

It inhabits shallow coastal reefs, often among macroalgae, on rocks, or in sandy areas between rocks and at the reef-sand interface. It may also occur on nearby sediments with seagrass or weed clumps, at depths of about 1 to 20 m.

Foraging habitat: Diet

The red handfish eats small crustaceans, worms and molluscs.

The red handfish eats small crustaceans, worms and molluscs.

Breeding habitat: Breeding

Females lay eggs at the base of seagrass or green Caulerpa seaweeds and guard them until they hatch. Green algae are an important spawning substrate.

Females lay eggs at the base of seagrass or green Caulerpa seaweeds and guard them until they hatch. Green algae are an important spawning substrate.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Threats: Threats

Habitat loss, pollution and urban development are identified as threats. Its restricted habitat and limited movement may make it particularly vulnerable to disturbance.

Habitat loss, pollution and urban development are identified as threats. Its restricted habitat and limited movement may make it particularly vulnerable to disturbance.

Threats: Works risk

Works that remove or disturb shallow rocky reef, macroalgae or nearby seagrass could damage habitat used by the red handfish. Pollution and coastal development may also affect its restricted reef habitat.

Survey methodology: 1. Species-specific methods

Use methods consistent with the Commonwealth survey guidelines and engage a specialist with the right permits.

Underwater visual census on scuba and photographic mark-recapture have been used to survey local populations. The species is highly cryptic and is often observed beneath algal canopies.

Survey methodology: 2. Commonwealth guidance

For EPBC Act referrals, survey effort and methods should be consistent with the survey guidelines for Australia's threatened fish, read with the Significant impact guidelines 1.1.

Survey methodology: 3. Limits

A non-detection is not proof of absence. Match survey timing to the species and season, and record effort.

Vegetation associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific vegetation association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific water association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before disturbance: 1. Desktop and approvals

Confirm whether the project could affect the species before works begin.

Check national mapping, state records and recent surveys for the site. An action likely to have a significant impact on this nationally listed species needs EPBC Act referral, and state permits apply where it is state listed.

Before disturbance: 2. Plan to avoid

Plan in-water works, vessel movements and lighting to avoid known habitat and sensitive periods, and set observer and shutdown procedures before works start.

During disturbance: 1. Controls

Keep works inside the approved footprint and conditions.

Use spotters and exclusion zones for in-water works and vessels, and pause works if the species is seen within the zone.

During disturbance: 2. Stop and report

If the species is found unexpectedly, stop work at that spot and contact the project ecologist and the relevant agency.

After disturbance: 1. Records

Record outcomes.

Record sightings, habitat lost or retained and any injury or death, and report them under the approval conditions.

Rehabilitation: 1. Restore

Restore disturbed habitat where possible.

Remove temporary structures, restore natural flow and substrate, and monitor water quality until it returns to baseline.

Sources