Red Reef Lobster (Enoplometopus occidentalis)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Enoplometopus occidentalis
- Common name
- Red Reef Lobster
- Category
- Crustaceans
- Family
- Enoplometopidae
- Genus
- Enoplometopus
- Size
- 12–20 cm
- Depth
- 5–40 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- benthic, nocturnal
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, East Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia, Mediterranean
Description
Enoplometopus occidentalis reaches 20 cm. Dwarf lobster (Nephropidae) from Indo-Pacific. Brilliant vivid red-orange, elegant claws. Coastal spiral-burrow digger 5-40 m. Strict nocturnal. Small benthic predator. Minimally threatened = LC. Macro star subject on tropical reefs.
Photo of Red Reef Lobster
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Red Reef Lobster?
- Red Reef Lobster (Enoplometopus occidentalis) reaches 12–20 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Red Reef Lobster?
- Red Reef Lobster is found between 5–40 m deep.
- Is the Red Reef Lobster dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Red Reef Lobster?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Red Reef Lobster?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, East Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Macaronesia, Mediterranean.
Similar species
- Palinurus elephas - European spiny lobster
- Clibanarius erythropus - Red-legged hermit crab
- Homarus gammarus - European lobster
- Pachygrapsus marmoratus - Marbled rock crab
- Mithraculus forceps - Red-ridged clinging crab
- Mithrax spinosissimus - Channel clinging crab
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 210068)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2224041)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia