The Spanish Lobster, Scyllarides aequinoctialis
The Spanish Lobster, Scyllarides aequinoctialis, also known as Shovel-nosed Lobster, is a slipper lobster common to Virgin Islands waters.
They are not often seen during the day which is when they hide out in holes and recesses of coral reefs. The Spanish lobster roams and forages in the open at night in waters 30 feet to 130 feet deep on average.
This lobster has a funny way of escaping trouble. It flaps its powerful and broad tail to quickly swim away backwards.
Adults are around 6 to 12 inches in size and are harvested for market by local fishermen.
Arthropoda, Crustacea, Decapoda, Scyllaridae, Scyllarides aequinoctialis