Teleostei (teleosts) >Lophiiformes (Anglerfishes) >Brachionichthyidae (Handfishes) Etymology:Brachionichthys:Latin, bracchium = arm + Greek, ichthys = fish (Ref.45335); hirsutus:Name from Latin 'hirsutus' for hairy, in reference to its rough, hairy skin.(Ref. 82446). More on author:Lacepède.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution rangeEcology
Marine; demersal; non-migratory; depth range 1 - 60 m (Ref.72490), usually 5 - 15 m (Ref.72490). Temperate; 41°S - 44°S, 147°E - 149°E
Southwest Pacific: Endemic to Tasmania, Australia. Has been nearly wiped out by an introduced starfish which preys on its egg clusters (Ref.27438).
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm? range ? - ? cm Max length : 15.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref.7300)
Short descriptionIdentification keys |Morphology |Morphometrics
Dorsalsoft rays (total): 19 - 21;Analsoft rays: 8 - 10. This species is unique in having the following set of characters: esca small, 15-26% (mean 20%) of illicium length (including esca); illicium very slender, no dermal spinules, length 19-20% SL (mean 20%), 2.3-2.4 times in head length; eye moderate, exceeding 5.4 times in head; body entirely covered with close-set, non-imbricate scales; scale bases subcircular with longunicuspid spinules (except for those closely-associated with pores of the acoustico-lateralis system); spinules originating from middle of scale base, variable in length over body; second dorsal-fin rays 17-19 (mean 18), fin base 61-64 (mean 62%) SL; first ray of first dorsal fin length 0.7-1.0 times length of longest ray of second dorsal fin; anal-fin rays 8-10; pectoral-fin rays usually 7 ; upper body usually covered with fine dark spots or short streaks (rarely with long streaks on head); caudal fin with dense coverage of fine spots, forming a dark submarginal bar in juveniles (Ref.72490). Body shape (shape guide): elongated.
Occurs in the continental shelf and inshore waters (Ref.7300). Occurs in coarse to fine sand habitats in depths of 5-40 m (most commonly 5-10 m). Often found in shallow, shell-filled depressions or near rocks of low relief projecting from the substrate (Ref.30684). Length only preliminary, replace with better value (RF). Egg masses contain about 80-250 eggs, about 1.8-2 mm in diameter; egg capsules about 3-4 mm diameter. Newly hatched juveniles are about 6-7 mm SL, attaining at least 9.0 cm SL (about 13.0 cm TL), with adults commonly about 6.0-7.5 cm SL (Ref.72490).
Life cycle and mating behaviorMaturity |Reproduction |Spawning |Eggs |Fecundity |Larvae
Paxton, J.R., D.F. Hoese, G.R. Allen and J.E. Hanley, 1989. Pisces. Petromyzontidae to Carangidae. Zoological Catalogue of Australia, Vol. 7. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra, 665 p. (Ref.7300)
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