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Ziebell's Handfish (Brachiopsilus ziebelli)

Ziebell's Handfish is a marine handfish found in eastern and southern Tasmania. It occurs around rocky reefs and soft-bottom habitat with patches of rock supporting sponge and algae communities, as well as kelp edges, ledges and caves.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Vulnerable.

Tasmania, Threatened Species Protection Act 1995: Endangered.

Seasonal planning

Ziebell’s handfish surveys are recommended from July through September in Tasmania.

Seasonal evidence: From published sources for this species.

Timing varies between sites and years.

  • Breeding season: Ziebell’s handfish surveys are recommended from July through September in Tasmania.

Identification: Appearance

It typically has a pale body with purplish patches and yellow-edged fins. Like other handfishes, it is a small, colourful benthic fish that uses its pectoral fins to walk rather than swim.

It typically has a pale body with purplish patches and yellow-edged fins. Like other handfishes, it is a small, colourful benthic fish that uses its pectoral fins to walk rather than swim.

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

It is restricted to eastern and southern Tasmania, with records from the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, Cox Bight, the Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas, Actaeon Islands and Bicheno.

It is restricted to eastern and southern Tasmania, with records from the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, Cox Bight, the Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas, Actaeon Islands and Bicheno.

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 rocky and soft-bottom areas, often near rocky patches with sponge and macroalgal communities. It has also been recorded on rocky substrate, ledges, in cracks and caves, and at the edge of giant kelp forests, at depths of about 3 to 20 metres.

It inhabits rocky and soft-bottom areas, often near rocky patches with sponge and macroalgal communities. It has also been recorded on rocky substrate, ledges, in cracks and caves, and at the edge of giant kelp forests, at depths of about 3 to 20 metres.

Foraging habitat: Diet

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Breeding habitat: Breeding

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

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

Potential concerns identified for the species include pollution, habitat loss, degradation of spawning habitat, invasive species and illegal aquarium collection. Historical shellfish-fishing impacts are also considered possible.

Potential concerns identified for the species include pollution, habitat loss, degradation of spawning habitat, invasive species and illegal aquarium collection. Historical shellfish-fishing impacts are also considered possible.

Threats: Works risk

In-water works that damage rocky reefs, soft-bottom patches with sponge and algae communities, kelp edges, ledges or caves could remove or degrade habitat. Pollution and degradation of spawning habitat are also identified concerns.

Survey methodology: 1. Species-specific methods

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

Divers have recorded the species, and surveys have included searches at known historical sites and likely habitat. Researchers have also used remote and autonomous underwater vehicles to search deeper offshore areas.

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