A rare and critically-endangered fish is gaining attention online after a photograph that captured its awe-inspiring look won an underwater photography contest.
Spotted handfish are only about 12 centimeters — or 4.7 inches — long, according to Derwent Estuary Program, which aims to restore the waterway, located in Hobart, Tasmania. These fish are spotted or striped and have overgrown pectoral fins, which they use walk and hunt for food like worms.
There are fewer than 10 handfish colonies in the Derwent Estuary, and the species' eggs are often are swept away by the current. Because of this and environmental threats, the fish became the first of its kind to be listed as endangered under the Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Protection Act 1999, according to the program. They are also protected under Tasmania's Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 and there is a recovery plan in place to help them survive.
Another photo of a bobtail squid that Remy captured in Tasmania was also recognized in the photography contest, taking third place in the macro category. He said these animals are usually photographed with a long macro lens, but he used a wet lens and got so close, the lens was nearly touching the squid.
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