something different...

[alcina]

This is only the second time I have seen one of these guys...on the dive yesterday there were two. They are very skittish...I waited over 10 minutes for this guy to pop out and stay out as much as he was. In that time I took 4 shots - this one had the most of him, the others mostly just have the head and part of a claw...

I think they are Hairy Lobsters, part of the Nephropidae or soft lobster Family. There are only three types in my book (and none at all in my book on Australian crustraceans) and I think it is a Enoplometopus occidentalis. Distribution East Africa to Indonesia; Philippines to Hawaii...usually if they are found here they are listed as NW Australia or such.

Anyway, I thought he was funky and something different to post here. If anyone knows anything about him, I'd love to hear it.

 

[Dee]

Kinda cute, isn't he? Good photo!

 

[Gilligan]

I believe you are correct in that it is a Red Reef Lobster (Enoplometopidae occidentalis)

This one is from here and looks the same and I identified it from the John P. Hoover of Hawaii's Sea Creatures.

 

[Dee]

Great shot, Gillgan!

 

[alcina]

Wish mine would have been in a better situation like your was, Gilligan!

I wonder, is he common here and is he found elsewhere in Australia? Seems odd my special crustaceans book doesn't have him or any close relatives!

 

[justleesa]

Both are keepers!
(Pssst, ....alcina.....maybe you took him home with you when you were here... )