Lobsters

Palinuridae

Mediterranean spiny lobsters hide in crevices by day, antennae poking out like whiskers. Night dives are the best time to see them out walking the reef. In marine reserves, they can grow impressively large.

Last updated April 2026

Species

Spiny lobster

Palinurus elephas(26 photos)

VulnerableUp to 50 cm10–50mRocky reefCave

A large, heavily armored lobster with long, spiny antennae and no claws — the Med's prized crustacean. Reddish-brown with pale spots and enormous forward-pointing antennae.

Hides deep in caves and crevices during the day with antennae poking out — makes a rasping alarm sound when threatened. Increasingly rare outside reserves.

Observed at

S'Adolitx(Sant Feliu de Guíxols)La Virgen(Costa del Maresme)Túneles de Port Salvi(Sant Feliu de Guíxols)El Río(El Hierro)Peu de Negre(Costa del Maresme)El Trencat(Costa del Maresme)La Calzada(Costa del Maresme)El Santuari(Costa del Maresme)Montseny(Costa del Maresme)

Slipper lobster

Scyllarus arctus(5 photos)

Rocky reef

Observed at

Dofí Nord(Illes Medes)

Red reef lobster

Enoplometopus antillensis(5 photos)

Least ConcernUp to 12 cm5–40mCoral reefCaveRocky reef

A small, vividly colored lobster — red-orange body with white or pale spots and banded legs. More like a large shrimp than a traditional lobster.

Found in small cave crevices and holes, often in pairs — a night dive treat, when it ventures further out from its hiding spot.

Observed at

El Río(El Hierro)

Atlantic slipper lobster

Scyllarides latus(1 photos)

VulnerableUp to 45 cm5–50mRocky reefCave

A large, flat lobster with a shovel-shaped head and no long antennae — looks like it was stepped on. Brown-orange body with sculptured plate-like segments.

Nocturnal — hides in caves by day. Extremely rare in the Med due to overharvesting. A thrilling find for any diver.

Observed at

El Veril(El Hierro)

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