In Tasmania, a strange fish with hands was found, which was considered extinct

Running enthusiast Kerry Yar from Primrose Sands (Tasmania, Australia) witnessed an amazing event that shocked scientists. During her run along the shore, she discovered a strange creature resembling a fish, but with hands instead of fins.

Kerry Yar told:

"I am always interested in any creatures that I notice while running. It looked like a small puffer fish or toad fish, which I saw a lot, but when I looked closer, under a layer of sand, I recognized its small fins in the shape of a hand."

The strange creature was identified as a spotted tame fish, which was considered extinct in the region for many years. The last time an endangered marine animal was spotted was 20 years ago.

Carly Devine from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) explained:

"Up until the discovery last weekend, we thought that the population of spotted tame fish in Primrose Sands had died out locally, and that this happened before 2005. We also searched a few years ago, but we didn't find any fish. This gives us a reason to start looking again."

The fish got its unusual name thanks to the hands with which it moves along the seabed. This unique creature has become the first on the list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), endangered.

The decline in the population of spotted tame fish is associated with coastal dredging and invasive starfish from the North Pacific Ocean, which destroy their natural homes.

Carly Devine stressed that "they are rare and elusive."

"Now we know we have to keep an eye on these places every year."

However, efforts are currently being made to save this unique species. Artificial spawning sites have been created to replace the natural homes of these creatures, and the aquariums contain an "insurance population".