Where Does Red Handfish Live?

Red Handfish lives in specific habitats. Knowing where to look helps you find and identify it.

Where to find Red Handfish

Water type

saltwater

Depth

Typically found in very shallow waters, from 1 to 15 meters (3 to 49 feet).

Environment

Prefers sheltered, shallow reef habitats with dense beds of red algae (e.g., Asparagopsis armata, Delisea pulchra) and other macroalgae, often on sandy or silty substrates adjacent to rocky reefs. These algal beds provide both camouflage and a hunting ground.

Geographic range

Endemic to southeastern Tasmania, Australia. Currently known from only two small, isolated populations in the Derwent Estuary and Frederick Henry Bay.

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