Dwarf Reef Lobster

Enoplometopus (Hoplometopus) antillensis Lütken, 1865

Enoplometopus antillensis Lütken, 1865:265.—Chace, 1966:634.—Debelius, 1986:13 [lower right color illustration].—Manning and Camp, 1989:412, figs. 1–4.

MATERIAL.—Grice Marine Biological Laboratory Collection: Sta 80–75, Hummock Point, 25 m: 1 male (GMBL).

Operation Origin: Site 29, South East Head, underneath boulder,25 m: 1 juvenile [10.8].

Other Collections: Jourdan (1977), Ascension Island, cave in 12 m: 2 males [39.0–43.8].—McDowell (1981), off South West Point 2 males [25.0–28.0], 1 ovig. female [25.7].— McDowell (1982), English Bay: 1 postlarva [6.8].—McDowell (1986), Ladies Loo: 1 male [35.2]; English Bay: 1 male [29.3].

SIZE.—Carapace lengdis of males, 25.0–43.8 mm; of ovigerous female,25.7 mm; of juvenile, 10.8 mm; of postlarva, 6.8 mm.

HABITAT.—The Ascension specimens were found in depths of 12 to 25 meters.

DISTRIBUTION.—Western Atlantic from Bermuda and south-eastern Florida to northeastern Brazil, eastern Atlantic from Madeira and the Gulf of Guinea; central Adantic from St. Helena and Ascension; to a depth of 201 meters.

Enoplometopus antillensis (commonly dwarf reef lobster, Atlantic reef lobster or flaming reef lobster) is a species of reef lobster endemic to warmer parts of the Atlantic Ocean. It is found at depths of 5–201 m (16–659 ft) in rocky and coral reefs, where it hides in small crevices. Dwarf reef lobsters are prized in the home aquarium hobby for their bright colors and small size.