Blue Spiny Lobster - Panulirus versicolor

Blue Spiny Lobsters (Panulirus versicolor) are beautiful but elusive. They have long, rigid white antennae and large, stalked eyes. They are mostly black with purple or blue legs and a brilliant white and blue fan tail. These lobsters can grow very large and should not be kept with other lobsters.

Lobsters available in the aquarium trade vary in size but generally have very similar temperaments. The smaller species are commonly referred to as the "Reef Lobsters" (genus Enoplometopus) while many larger species are also occasionally available (genera Palinurellus and Panulirus, among others). Lobsters are omnivores and will scavenge on both plant matter and meaty items like fish and invertebrates. Depending on the size of the lobster, they may be a threat to smaller invertebrates but smaller lobsters are generally not a severe threat unless underfed. While they will eat some leftover food, they should be target-fed with small meaty items regularly.

Lobsters are usually considered Reef Safe (if well-fed) in that they do not usually eat corals. However, lobsters do build burrows in rockwork and can cause some damage as they bury, especially larger lobsters. The "Reef Lobsters" are usually safe in reef systems but the larger Spiny Lobsters, Slipper Lobsters, Spiny Lobsters and some others are best kept in large systems without coral that can be damaged by their activity. Most lobsters are nocturnal and will remain hidden during the day and come out at night to feed.

Crustaceans benefit from iodine and mineral supplements to help form a healthy, hard exoskeleton. Regular water changes with high quality salt mixes usually provide enough, but extra supplements may be needed in reef tanks or in tanks with heavy invertebrates loads that use up iodine and other minerals rapidly. If water changes with new, fresh saltwater are not done regularly, the minerals also get depleted and nitrates accumulate and can also be detrimental to crustaceans and other invertebrates.