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Animal profile

Caribbean Spiny Lobster

Panulirus argus

MalacostracaCoral reefs, seagrass beds and rocky crevices in shallow tropical water

Field profile

The Caribbean spiny lobster lacks the large claws of clawed lobsters, relying instead on a spiny carapace and long antennae. It shelters by day in crevices and forages at night. It supports one of the most economically important fisheries across the Caribbean region.

Scope note

This is an editorial profile, not a diagnostic field-identification guide or a substitute for current conservation assessments. Follow the cited sources on each fact for the evidence trail.

Published field notes

2026-03-15

Caribbean Spiny Lobster

Spiny lobsters migrate in single-file queues

In autumn, Caribbean spiny lobsters form marching lines of up to sixty animals, each keeping contact with the one ahead using its antennae. The formation reduces drag and appears to make the group harder for predators to attack.

Read with evidence →

Caribbean Spiny Lobster | Daily Animal Facts