Caribbean Spiny Lobster © Shedd Aquarium
The appearance of the Caribbean Spiny Lobster, Panulirus argus, consists of
a hard spine that covers its shell, a pair of sensory antennae that are folded
along its side when not in use, and a mainly brown-gray body with stripes and
yellow spots on the segmented tail. These lobsters can swim backwards to safety
by rapidly moving their large tails. This spiny lobster has compound eyes that
detect orientation, form, light, and color. The Caribbean spiny lobster does
not have pinching claws.
The lobster can grow from a planktonic larva to be 60 cm in length. It can be
found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea,
and Gulf of Mexico. It is a nocturnal species that inhabits coral reefs where
it can hide during the day. The lobster feeds upon gastropods, chitons, bivalves,
carrion, sea urchins, worms, crustaceans, and some sea vegetation. It is the
prey of by moray eels and nurse sharks. The spiny lobster is a popular seafood
and commercially fished.
- MarineBio.org. "Panulirus argus, Caribbean Spiny Lobster."
- http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=155
