Spiny lobsters, also known as langustas, langouste, or rock lobsters, make up the family Palinuridae in the order Decapoda and infraorder Achelata. There are around 60 species of these achelate crustaceans which are split into 12 genera.
Spiny lobsters are found in almost all warm seas, including the Caribbean and the Mediterranean Sea, in coastal waters off Southeast Asia and Australia, and off the coast of South Africa.
These lobsters are characterized by their lack of front claws on the front of their bodies and their very thick and oversized antennae, which is where the word ‘spiny’ comes from.
They are nocturnal and feed on algae, snails, crabs, and other small creatures that dwell on the bottom of the ocean floor. They commit mass migration after rainstorms at their place of habitation.
Spiny Lobster Characteristics
Spiny lobsters generally resemble true lobsters in terms of overall shape and having a hard carapace and exoskeleton, but can be distinguished by their very long, thick, spiny antennae, and by their lack of chelae (claws) on the first four pairs of walking legs. Mature female spiny lobsters have a small claw on their fifth pair of walking legs.
In contrast, common lobsters have much smaller antennae and claws on the first three pairs of legs. Therefore, spiny lobsters and true lobsters are actually not closely related.
The average size of a mature spiny lobster depends on its species, but they may exceed 60 centimeters or 2 feet in length. They are mostly red or brown in color, although some have mottled patterns and display vivid colors.
Spiny Lobster Lifespan
Spiny lobsters have a relatively long lifespan. Some species of this animal can live for up to 50 years old!
Spiny Lobster Diet
The spiny lobster is an omnivore, feeding on live prey, decaying matter, and plants. Typical prey include sea urchins, snails, crabs, sea hares, mussels, and clams. They spend their day hiding, and come out at night to feed.
Spiny Lobster Behavior
Spiny lobsters are nocturnal animals and spend the day hiding in crevices and rocks. They only occasionally venturing out at night to seek food. To deter predators, it flexes its tail to escape backwards and lets out a loud screech made by the antennae of the spiny lobsters rubbing against a smooth part of the exoskeleton.
Spiny lobsters are social animals, although recent research shows that healthy lobsters move away from infected ones, leaving the diseased lobsters to fend for themselves.
These animals undertake migration. During migration, groups of up to 50 spiny lobsters move in single file, keeping contact with each other with their antennae. They navigate using scent and taste, as well as through their ability to detect the Earth’s magnetic field.
Reproduction
The time and age at which spiny lobsters mate and reproduce depends on their species, location and water temperature. Some species spawn at certain times of the year, while others can reproduce all year round. On average, the spiny lobster reaches sexual maturity at around 5 to 9 years for females and 3 to 6 years for males.
Males transfer spermatophores directly into the female’s sternum during mating. The female can carry between 120,000 to 680,000 fertilized eggs, which she does so for around 10 weeks before they hatch.
Once hatched, the spiny lobster larvae do not resemble adults. They are zooplankton that feed on plankton and go through several molts and larval stages. They sink to the bottom of the ocean, where they eat small crabs, amphipods, and isopods until they are big enough to take larger prey.
It can be difficult to know the exact age of a spiny lobster because of the amount that it molts. In some areas, these animals cannot be caught until they are a certain size, because this means they will be of a certain age, too.
Location and Habitat
Spiny lobsters live in tropical oceans worldwide, most commonly in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, in coastal waters off Southeast Asia and Australia, and off the coast of South Africa. They are mostly found at the bottom of the ocean floor, where their prey can also be found.
Conservation Status
Spiny lobsters are commercially fished across almost all their range. While there is insufficient data for conservation status classification and most are listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List, it is safe to say these animals are at threat from overfishing.
They are caught for their meat, which in some areas is exported worldwide, and in others is kept more of a local delicacy. They are of huge economic importance to many places and, in some areas, spiny lobster fisheries are the largest commercial fisheries. For example, in the Bahamas, they are the biggest food export.
Climate change and change to the spiny lobster habitat may also affect their numbers.
Despite this, while populations of spiny lobsters are declining, it is not thought that any are at risk from extinction soon.
Spiny Lobster Predators
The biggest predator of the spiny lobster is humans. Spiny lobsters are commercially fished for their meat in almost all places where they occur. For example, they are the biggest food export of the Bahamas.
However, they also have some natural predators, too. In the wild, they can be eaten by sea otters, octopuses, sharks, and bony fishes.
Spiny Lobster FAQs
How many species of spiny lobster are there?
There are at least 60 species of spiny lobster! These species are split into 12 extant genera. We go into more detail about these below.
Can you eat spiny lobster?
Yes! Spiny lobsters are edible and are actually caught for their meat across their range. In some areas, they are exported for consumption worldwide, while other catches are kept closer to their place of origin and served as a local delicacy. Often, lobster tails are sold separately.
Some species of this lobster are captured in lobster traps or hand caught by divers and sold live in tanks. Gill nets and trammel nets are also used to catch these lobsters.
Where do spiny lobsters live?
Spiny lobsters reside all over the world, in tropical oceans. They are mostly found in the Caribbean and Mediterranean and off Southeast Asia, Australia and South Africa. They live on the bottom of the seabed, under rocks and in crevices.
What do spiny lobsters eat?
Spiny lobsters are omnivores. They eat both dead and alive sea urchins, snails, crabs, sea hares, mussels, and clams. They also eat plants.
How do lobsters communicate?
Lobsters cannot produce verbal sounds because they do not have any vocal chords. In fact, they communicate mostly using urine. To put it very simply, they squirt pee at each other’s faces to communicate!
Lobsters urinate from their faces so this is easy for them to do. Pheromones are injected into their urine, and so, when they pee, they release these pheromones and can lets other lobsters know how they are feeling.
Do lobsters mate for life?
It is a popular theory that lobsters mate for life, but in reality, it isn’t true. These animals can create a monogamous bond, but it only lasts for two weeks.
How long can lobsters live out of water?
Lobsters can live for around one to two days out of water, if they are kept cool, moist and refrigerated. Because they are gill breathers, they can be kept alive for a short amount of time with newspaper and/or seaweed. This helps to keep them moist.
Spiny Lobster Species
There are about 60 species of spiny lobster, split into 12 extant genera: Jasus, Justitia, Linuparus, Nupalirus, Palibythus, Palinurellus, Palinurus, Palinustus, Panulirus, Projasus, Puerulus and Sagmariasus.
Here are some of the most well-known spiny lobsters.
Caribbean spiny lobster
- Genus: Panulirus
- Species: Panulirus argus
The Caribbean spiny lobster can be found on reefs and in mangrove swamps in the western Atlantic Ocean. They can be found at depths of up to 100 m (330 ft).
They are generally olive greenish or brown, but can be tan to mahogany. There is a scattering of yellowish to cream-colored spots on their carapace and larger yellow to cream-colored spots on the abdomen. They have no pair of antennae that are longer than the body. Their body can be 60 cm (24 in) long.
The Caribbean spiny lobster is a popular human food is the most important food export of the Bahamas. In Florida, there is a season where the spiny lobster may be taken, usually from the beginning of August to the end of March, to protect the species during its main breeding season.
European spiny lobster
- Genus: Panulirus
- Species: Palinurus elephas
The European spiny lobster is found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, from southern Norway to Morocco and the Azores, and in the Mediterranean Sea. It lives on rocky exposed coasts below the intertidal zone, mainly at depths of 20 to 70 metres (66 to 230 ft).
These lobsters are reddish-brown with yellow spots. Their antennae are very heavy and spiny, are tapering and even longer than the body. They can reach up to 60 cm (24 in) long.
The European spiny lobster is widely caught for food around the Mediterranean Sea, mostly with lobster pots, and is also caught less intensively off the Atlantic Coasts of Ireland, Portugal, France and England. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Painted rock lobster
- Genus: Panulirus
- Species: Panulirus versicolor
The painted rock lobster is found in tropical reefs in the Indo-Pacific. It occurs in the shallow tropical waters, in coral reef ecosystems and on seaward edges of the reef plateau, at depths up to 15 metres (49 ft). It is one of the three most common varieties of spiny lobster in Sri Lanka, alongside Panulirus homarus and Panulirus ornatus.
These lobsters are white, pink and black in color, with a green abdomen with transverse black and white bands. The legs are dark blue to black with white stripes and the tail is blue-green. Its first pair of antennae are double ended and the second hard and spiny. The painted rock lobster usually grows up to 40 centimetres (16 in) long.
The painted rock lobster is commercially exploited, which has led to its rarefaction and even disappearance in many places. Despite this, it is still listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, possibly due to the fact its range includes many protected areas.
California spiny lobster
- Genus: Panulirus
- Species: Panulirus interruptus
The California spiny lobster is found in the eastern Pacific Ocean from Monterey Bay, California, to the Gulf of Tehuantepec, Mexico. They live among rocks at depths of up to 65 m (213 ft)
The California spiny lobster is one of the largest spiny lobster species and typically grows to a length of 30 cm (12 in). It is a reddish-brown color with stripes along the legs, and has a pair of enlarged antennae.
These spiny lobster is the subject of both commercial and recreational fishery in both Mexico and the United States, although they are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Japanese spiny lobster
- Genus: Panulirus
- Species: Panulirus japonicus
The Japanese spiny lobster is found in the Pacific Ocean around Japan, Taiwan, China, and Korea. It can grow to 30 centimetres (12 in) long.
These animals are the subject of commercial lobster fishery in Japan and are considered a delicacy. They are currently listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.
Mud spiny lobster
- Genus: Panulirus
- Species: Panulirus polyphagus
The mud spiny lobster is found in the tropical Indo-Pacific region, from India and Pakistan, through the Philippines and Indonesia to northwestern Australia and southeastern New Guinea. They reside in shallow rocky reefs and muddy substrates, at depths down to 40 m (131 ft).
They are a greenish-grey color with a thin white band near the hind edge of each segment, which makes them easily distinguishable from other spiny lobster species. They can grow to a length of about 40 cm (16 in).
The mud spiny lobster is caught for human consumption. Despite the fact its population is declining due to fishing, it is still listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.
Southern rock lobster
- Genus: Jasus
- Species: Jasus edwardsii
The southern rock lobster, also known as the red rock lobster, or the spiny rock lobster, is found throughout coastal waters of southern Australia and New Zealand including the Chatham Islands. They live in and around reefs at depths ranging from 5 to 200 metres (16 to 660 ft) deep at the continental shelf.
These lobsters can be dark red and orange above with paler yellowish abdomens, or grey-green brown with the paler underside. They usually grow to 230 millimetres (9.1 in) in length and can often exceed 8 kilograms (18 lb)!
The southern rock lobster is not commercially farmed yet and is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Western rock lobster
- Genus: Panulirus
- Species: Panulirus cygnus
The western rock lobster is found off the west coast of Australia, from Hamelin Bay to the North West Cape. They vary in color from a brownish purple to a pale color and have a maximum weight of 5 kg (11 lb). They measure 80 to 100 millimetres (3.1 to 3.9 in) in length.
This spiny lobster makes up 20% of value of Australia’s total fishing industry, with the annual catch being 8,000 to 15,000 tonnes. Despite this, they are still listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Longlegged spiny lobster
- Genus: Panulirus
- Species: Panulirus longipes
The longlegged spiny lobster is found in the tropical Indo-Pacific region and resides on shallow rocky and coral reefs usually at depths less than about 18 m (59 ft), although can be found as deep as 122 m (400 ft).
hhere are two subspecies; P. l. longipes and P. l. bispinosus. These lobsters are usually dark brown or bluish-brown in color and there are numerous circular white spots on their abdomen and fewer spots on other parts of the body.
The longlegged spiny lobster is caught throughout most of its range for human consumption and it is likely that it is being overfished in parts of its range. Despite this, it is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Cape rock lobster
- Genus: Jasus
- Species: Jasus lalandii
The Cape rock lobster, also known as the West Coast rock lobster, is found off the coast of Southern Africa, in shallow waters. It can reside as deep as 46 metres (150 ft) and is usually found on rocky bottoms.
This spiny lobster is orange to red-brown in color with a tail fan of orange, blue and green. It may grow up to a total length of 46 centimetres (18 in).
The Cape rock lobster is widely caught for its meat, with over 6,500 t being caught annually. To prevent this spiny lobster from being overfished, individual fishing quotas are allocated by the Republic of South Africa to fishermen and companies.
It is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Spotted spiny lobster
- Genus: Panulirus
- Species: Panulirus guttatus
The spotted spiny lobster, also known as the Guinea chick lobster, is found in the tropical West Atlantic and Caribbean Sea but it also extends into the Gulf of Mexico. It resides on rocky reefs in shallow water, at depths down to about 23 metres (75 ft).
This spiny lobster has a length of 15 cm (6 in), with a purplish-black body color and round white spots. Its legs are dark and are also spotted white.
The spotted spun lobster is caught for its meat, but is mostly marketed locally and eaten fresh. Because it is not currently the subject of commercial fishing, its populations have remained stable and is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Brown spiny lobster
- Genus: Panulirus
- Species: Panulirus echinatus
The brown spiny lobster is found in the tropical western Atlantic Ocean and central Atlantic Islands, off the coasts of northern Brazil and Cape Verde, Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Tristan da Cunha and the Canary Islands. It resides about 35 m (115 ft) deep, on rocks and among boulders.
This spiny lobster is brown in color with large white rounded spots. It differs from other species by having just two large spines on the antennular plate. Males usually grow to 19 cm (7.5 in) and females 15 cm (6 in).
The brown spiny lobster has a wide distribution and seems to be very common within that range. However, it is harvested in most of the areas in which it is found and in Saint Helena and the Cape Verde Islands is fished commercially. It is thought to be declining in population due to fishing, although is still listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Hawaiian spiny lobster
- Genus: Panulirus
- Species: Panulirus marginatus
The Hawaiian spiny lobster is found on the Hawaiian Islands to the Northwest where the Pearl and Hermes Atoll is. They are usually found in shallow waters but have been found up to 143 m deep.
This spiny lobster is yellowish, reddish and brownish in color, with a distinct blue tail. They can reach a total body length of about 40 cm.
The Hawaiian spiny lobster has historically been caught commercially, particularly because they are easy to catch due to being found in shallow waters. Despite this, they are now a protected species in Hawaii and therefore guarded by specific laws to preserve their population. They are not allowed to be caught between May to August and no females with eggs may be taken. There is also a minimum size limit on individuals allowed to be taken.
Easter Island spiny lobster
- Genus: Panulirus
- Species: Panulirus pascuensis
The Easter Island spiny lobster is found around Easter Island and the Pitcairn Islands in the Pacific Ocean. It resides at depths of up to 5 metres (16 ft), on rocky shores.
This spiny lobster can reach a total length of between 15 to 25 centimetres (6 to 10 in) and is dark greenish purple in color. Its first pair of antennae are forked and the second pair are long, thick and spiny. The base of its tail fan has pale spots.
The Easter Island spiny lobster is a popular food in its range, with its main threat thought to be tourism through fishing. This lobster is often the seafood dish of choice to serve to tourists at local restaurants. Despite this, it is listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.
St Paul rock lobster
- Genus: Jasus
- Species: Jasus paulensis
The St Paul rock lobster is found in the waters around Saint Paul Island in the southern Indian Ocean and around Tristan da Cunha in the southern Atlantic Ocean. It is quite uncommon throughout its range, usually residing at depths between 10 and 35 m (33 and 115 ft) but occasionally down to about 60 metres (200 ft).
This spiny lobster usually reaches a total length of about 34 cm (13 in). They are fished commercially, although they are listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.
Juan Fernández rock lobster
- Genus: Jasus
- Species: Jasus frontalis
The Juan Fernández rock lobster is found around the Juan Fernández and Desventuradas Islands in the south-eastern Pacific Ocean. They live at depths of 2 to 200 metres (7 to 656 ft), where the water is at a temperature of 13 to 19 °C (55 to 66 °F). Male adults can reach a length of 48 centimetres (19 in), while females are slightly smaller at 46 cm (18 in) long.
These spiny lobsters are commercially fished throughout their range and, although it is thought their population has decreased because of this, they are listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.
