Panulirus ornatus

(Fabricius, 1798)

Vernacular names
English : Ornate spiny lobster
French : Langouste ornée

Classification
Class : Malacostraca
Order : Decapoda
Family : Palinuridae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
One of the largest spiny lobster species, reaching a body length of 50 cm. Antennae and legs are stripes dark brown and white. Big antennae are red. Coloration turquoise blue with orange spots on cephalothorax. Abdomen can be pink.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific area, from Red Sea, east and South Africa to South Japan, north Australia, Fiji and New Caledonia. Lives in turbid coastal waters, on sandy, muddy or rocky substrates, to 50 meters.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species is common to abundant. It is targeted by fisheries but, except in Kenya, it is done on a rather small and sustainable scale so far.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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