Photographer captures image of rare fish that walks on its 'hands'

By Nell Lewis, CNN

Updated 4:17 AM ET, Mon February 20, 2023

It took French photographer Nicolas Remy three days to capture this image of the elusive spotted handfish in Tasmania's Derwent River. Critically endangered, the handfish "walks" using its pectoral fins and attracts its prey with the fluffy lure above its mouth. The photo took first place in the 11th annual Ocean Art 2022, showcasing the world's best underwater photography. <strong><em>Look through the gallery for more winning images from the competition.</em></strong>
Photos: Photographers capture stunning images of underwater life
It took French photographer Nicolas Remy three days to capture this image of the elusive spotted handfish in Tasmania's Derwent River. Critically endangered, the handfish "walks" using its pectoral fins and attracts its prey with the fluffy lure above its mouth. The photo took first place in the 11th annual Ocean Art 2022, showcasing the world's best underwater photography. Look through the gallery for more winning images from the competition.
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This male Atlantic Wolfish from Norway is protecting its partner's eggs until spring. The photo by Galice Hoarau won first prize in the Marine Life Behavior category.
Photos: Photographers capture stunning images of underwater life
This male Atlantic Wolfish from Norway is protecting its partner's eggs until spring. The photo by Galice Hoarau won first prize in the Marine Life Behavior category.
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This image of a protective Caribbean reef octopus guarding her eggs in West Palm Beach, Florida won the Best in Show overall. According to Ocean Art, photographer Kat Zhou spent three weeks trying to get the best angle.
Photos: Photographers capture stunning images of underwater life
This image of a protective Caribbean reef octopus guarding her eggs in West Palm Beach, Florida won the Best in Show overall. According to Ocean Art, photographer Kat Zhou spent three weeks trying to get the best angle.
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Martin Broen's atmospheric "Long Shadows" won first place in the Black and White category. The photo presents stalactites hanging from the roof of Cenote Dos Pisos, Mexico.
Photos: Photographers capture stunning images of underwater life
Martin Broen's atmospheric "Long Shadows" won first place in the Black and White category. The photo presents stalactites hanging from the roof of Cenote Dos Pisos, Mexico.
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In Pinglin, Taiwan, this crab found itself seeing double -- and won photographer Kuo-Wei Kao first place in the Portrait category. The photographer told Ocean Art that it took many attempts to capture the "perfect reflection."
Photos: Photographers capture stunning images of underwater life
In Pinglin, Taiwan, this crab found itself seeing double -- and won photographer Kuo-Wei Kao first place in the Portrait category. The photographer told Ocean Art that it took many attempts to capture the "perfect reflection."
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With categories such as Underwater Conservation, the competition also highlights the difficulties facing our oceans -- like this California sea lion pup in Mexico with a fishhook stuck in the corner of its mouth. "At the least, his story can be a message of the impact of humans on the inhabitants of our ocean," said photographer Celia Kujala.