Red Handfish Becomes 18,000th Species in National Geographic Photo Ark

National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore has photographed a critically endangered red handfish (Thymichthys politus) as the 18,000th species for the Photo Ark project. The image was taken during a visit to the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies at the University of Tasmania in Hobart.

The red handfish is a small marine species, no larger than a human thumb, known for using its hand-like pectoral fins to walk along the seafloor rather than swim. Its distinctive appearance includes a downturned mouth and red coloration that Sartore described as resembling a "moody punk rocker."

The species is listed as critically endangered and is found only in a few small reef patches off southeastern Tasmania. The individual photographed resides in a captive breeding program at the institute, part of conservation efforts to prevent extinction.

Sartore founded the Photo Ark in 2006 with the goal of documenting every species living in zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries worldwide. The project aims to create a visual record of biodiversity and inspire conservation action before species disappear.

Reaching 18,000 species coincides with the project's 20th anniversary. Sartore stated that the handfish exemplifies the project's focus on lesser-known, often overlooked creatures that rarely receive public attention or conservation funding.

The Photo Ark now includes portraits of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates from institutions across the globe. Each animal is photographed against a plain black or white background to emphasize the individual and eliminate habitat context.

Conservationists note that the red handfish faces threats from habitat degradation, climate change, and its extremely limited range. Captive breeding programs like the one in Hobart represent a critical insurance population for the species.

Sartore continues to travel to facilities worldwide to add new species to the archive, which serves as both a scientific record and a public engagement tool for biodiversity preservation.