The second-ever red handfish conservation breeding event in captivity, aimed at preventing the critically endangered species from going extinct, has successfully produced 21 hatchlings.
A team of researchers from the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies department say the eggs took just over 50 days to hatch and measured in at just 8mm on day 1.
“Despite being a small clutch, this is actually equivalent to a quarter of the known wild red handfish population in Tasmania – so it’s very encouraging to have successfully bred the species in captivity in two consecutive breeding seasons,” IMAS researcher Dr Andrew Trotter said.
“Our aim now is to grow this year’s hatchlings into healthy sub-adults so we can release them and bolster the dwindling wild population. Ultimately, we want them to breed in the wild.”
The young hatchlings will be raised in captivity for around a year, only being released into the wild after completing the ‘handfish school’ program, which will equip them with the skills they need to survive and thrive in their natural environment.
IMAS threatened species and ecosystems team co-leader Dr Jemina Stuart-Smith said a predicted marine heatwave off south-eastern Tasmania this summer means the handfish population will be held in captivity ‘a little longer’ than usual this time.
“We’re excited that the captive population and breeding program is making good progress, but there is more to do,” she said.
“We’re still behind where we need to be for habitat restoration and management at red handfish sites – and it’s these components that will be the deciding factor in the survival of the species.”
