Diving with Spiny Lobsters
Lanta Marine Life | Palinuridae
Spiny lobsters are found at all dive sites when diving around Koh Lanta, and are easily spotted due to their very long antennae.
Achelata contains the spiny lobsters (Palinuridae), the slipper lobsters (Scyllaridae) and the furry lobsters (Synaxidae), and whilst similar in appearance to true lobsters, are not in fact true lobsters.
Achelata differ from true lobstaers most obviously due to the very large spiny antennae (hence the common name), and the lack of 'chelae' (claws) that are found on almost all other Decapods. Many species can produce loud sounds using structures at the base of their antennae.
Members of this family are also known as crawfish/crayfish, langoustes, or shrimp depending on which part of the world in which they are found.
1 species found on this page:
Painted Spiny Lobster
(Panulirus versicolor)
The Painted Spiny Lobster has a dark, bluish black back with white or light blue streaks and lines. The legs have longitudinal white and dark blue stripes.
The antennae are mostly white, but pink at the base. The tail is folded under the abdomen. The female Painted Spiny Lobster has claws on the fifth leg pair which are used in reproduction.
Panulirus versicolor @ Koh Bida
During the day the Painted Spiny Lobster hides in crevices and cracks in rock, usually in shallow water down to 15 - 20 m. This species grows to 30 cm (usually seen much smaller than this) and hunts at night.
Panulirus versicolor @ Koh Bida
If a lobster's leg is grasped or damaged by a predator, a specialist muscle in the leg segment contracts violently as an automatic reflex. This contraction causes the leg to be released/sheared at a fracture plane, and allows the lobster a chance to escape from the predator.
An antenna, on the other hand, must be pulled off, since there is a fracture plane but no specialist muscle in the antennae.
Panulirus versicolor @ Koh Bida
Diving with Spiny Lobsters around Koh Lanta
Scuba Diving & Snorkel Trips
If you'd love a chance to spot Spiny Lobsters on one of our daily high season diving trips from Koh Lanta then send us an email to info@diveandrelax.com.
Join our high season speedboat dive trips to some of Thailand's best dive sites and enjoy small groups, short journey times, with a focus on great personal service, safety and fun.
Not yet a certified diver? Learn to Scuba Dive on Koh Lanta with the 3 day SSI Open Water Diver course.
Book online to save 10% on dive trips and scuba courses on Koh Lanta.
Find Out More
Indo-Pacific Marine Life Guides
- Allen, G., Steene, R., Humann, P., DeLoach, N. (2003) Reef Fish Identification, Tropical Pacific. Jacksonville, FL., USA: New World Publications, Inc., ISBN 1-878348-36-1.
- Humann, P., DeLoach, N., (2010) Reef Creature Identification, Tropical Pacific. Jacksonville, FL., USA: New World Publications Inc., ISBN 978-1-878348-44-9
- Debelius, H. (2013) Indian Ocean Reef Guide. Frankfurt, Germany: IKAN - Unterwasserarchiv, ISBN 978-3-939767-52-7.
- Debelius, H. (2004) Nudibranchs and Sea Snails, Indo-Pacific Field Guide. Frankfurt, Germany: IKAN - Unterwasserarchiv, ISBN 3-925919-51-1
- Erhardt, H., Knop, D. (2015) Corals Indo-Pacific Field Guide. Frankfurt, Germany: IKAN - Unterwasserarchiv, ISBN 3-925919-69-4.
- Veron J.E.N., Stafford-Smith M.G., Turak E. and DeVantier L.M. (2016). Corals of the World