Lobster ID?

[Insane Reefer]

Hi,
The LFS has a really cool lobster, and am hoping someone might know what it is.

Currently it is about 4" long. It is a deep, bright red, and has electric blue hairs covering it's claws and legs.

A name so I can research it would be cool.

Thanks!

 

[graveyardworm]

Try a search on these.

E. debelius Polka-Dot Lobster, Pink Spotted Lobster
E. holthuisi Holthuis's Reef Lobster
E. occidentalis Red Lobster, Hawaiian Lobster

 

[Insane Reefer]

Thanks for the info 'Worm
It does look sort of like a darker, heavier version of Enoplometopus occidentalis, however, I could find nothing mentioning (or picturing) electric blue leg hairs

 

[graveyardworm]

E. occidentalis

E. debelius

Purple lobster No hairs on this guy though.

Perhaps the blue hair is just an effect of actinic lighting?

One more - Lobsters For Marine Aquariums?

 

[Insane Reefer]

Yeah - those aren't it either
And no - it isn't the light, he only has a single tube over each of the 10's that holds fishes/inverts, and those are 50/50's.

Tell you what - I will go and get a photo in the next few days - was sort of planning on going Wednesday, so will try to remember the camera.

Thanks for your help, and check back if you would when next I reply

 

[Insane Reefer]

Ok. I have photo's.

I'm going to say this is E. occidentalis.

The blue hairs don't show up with flash, so gave one with flash (focused) and one without (blurred a bit).

 

[LeslieH]

The blue is due to how the light hits the hairs. I'm sure someone knows the technical name for the optical process that produces it but I only know worm names.

 

[Insane Reefer]

Yeah, the camera flash "bleaches" the blue out.

 

[iamwhatiam52]

While we have the attention of someone who knows lobesters, what is the SMALLEST type.
Also are any of the ones without lsrge claws suitable for a tank, or do all of them get too large?

 

[sick1166]

copper lobster

 

[Insane Reefer]

Many of the "large claw" lobsters are suitable for reef tanks - this one gets to be 4" and is considered reef-safe by many though it can go after small/slow fish...
A google for reef lobster might help find them.