Discover the Starry Handfish a Unique Deep Sea Creature

The starry handfish, also known by many names, such as the minipizza batfish, is a widely distributed marine fish found throughout the Indo-West Pacific. The range of these fish extends from Japan to Australia, northern New Zealand, and various Pacific islands. They prefer to inhabit relatively deep water from 165 to 2000 ft (50 to 600 m) deep. They are typically found in sandy, cobble, or shell areas of the seafloor on the continental shelf and slope. They have a rounded body disc that is slightly wider than it is long.

Their tail is shorter than the diameter of the disk. Their eyes are widely spaced apart. There are strongly pointed tubercles on their top surface and body margins. Their entire body is covered with tiny spines. Their body is reddish in color with a vermiculate pattern. They can grow around 10 in (25 cm) long. Because of their wide distributions, starry handfish are not currently considered a threatened species. The fish are occasionally taken as bycatch in trawls and dredges. For more marine facts, click the Subscribe button!