In the frigid, nutrient-rich currents off the coast of Tasmania, a creature defies the standard evolutionary trajectory of its aquatic peers. The Pink Handfish ( Brachiopsilus dianthus ) does not swim with the fluid grace of a tuna or the darting agility of a reef fish. Instead, it walks. With modified pectoral fins that resemble human hands—complete with jointed, finger-like rays—this elusive anglerfish relative navigates the sandy substrate of the seafloor in a slow, deliberate crawl that has fascinated marine biologists for decades. Recent surveys conducted by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies have shed new light on the behavior of this critically endangered species. For years, the Pink Handfish was known from only a handful of specimens, leading many to fear it had vanished entirely from its restricted range. However, advanced underwater remote-operated vehicle (ROV) technology has recently...