The Blue Spiny Lobster is an attractive lobster, with blue coloration. It is rather hardy and can be fed on a variety of meaty foods.

Blue Spiny Lobsters are omnivorous scavengers. However, limited feeding is recommended, particularly of meaty foods. These Lobsters may disturb sessile invertebrates or bottom-dwelling animals in their tanks and are not considered to be reef safe. Delicate invertebrates, clams, or small fish may not be good choices for tanks including Blue Spiny Lobsters. Normally, they can be kept in same species groups when provided with a large enough enclosure and an abundant food supply. In a aquarium where Blue Spiny Lobsters are kept, copper based medications should not be used. These lobsters cannot tolerate high levels of nitrates, either. Blue Spiny Lobsters seem to do very well in aquariums with lots of live rock, where they can find hiding places. Although initially shy, most Blue Spiny Lobsters will venture about the aquarium once they are acclimated. It has been reported that these lobsters have proved a useful tool in aquariums infested with unwanted Bristle Worms, as they may consume these invertebrates.

When a captive Blue Spiny Lobster is full grown, it usually measures about 14 inches (36 centimeters). However, specimens between 8 and 20 inches (20 and 51 centimeters) have been reported. In many lobsters, the first pair of walking legs is enlarged into claws. However, in Spiny Lobsters, the first pair of legs is not large, and the first legs are legs, not claws. Spiny Lobsters have a total of five pairs of legs. The Blue Spiny Lobster has a greenish-blue colored cylindrical carapace. Dorsally it is blue with a reticulated pattern. This lobster has a blue tail fin. Its legs are striped in azure blue. Blue Spiny Lobsters have white stripes over their abdomens, and the antennae are long and white.

Blue Spiny Lobsters are found throughout tropical areas of the Indo Pacific. They are fairly easy to care for and make attractive captives.

Blue Spiny Lobsters will require fairly large tanks, as they are active and may grow to be rather large. Temperatures between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit (23 and 26 degrees Celsius) are appropriate for Spiny Lobsters. The pH should remain at 8.3 or 8.4 and the specific gravity should measure between 1.023 and 1.025. It is important to keep Spiny Lobsters well fed if they are kept in aquariums with other animals. The Blue Spiny Lobster is an omnivore and thus should be offered a variety of foods. Meaty foods are particularly important and should be offered regularly.

There is currently no special breeding information in our databases for this animal. To submit breeding / propagation information that is specific to this animal please click here.