Ornate Spiny Lobster
Panulirus ornatus · pan-yoo-LY-rus or-NAH-tus
nocturnalsolitaryLeast Concern
EdibleUnfriendlyDangerous
Superpower
Marches in long single-file conga lines across the seabed when migrating.
At a glance
- Size
- typically 30 cm, up to 60 cm
- Lifespan
- 10–15 years
- Depth
- 1–50 m
Habitat
Reefs, lagoons and rocky crevices.
Diet
Snails, clams, crabs and carrion.
Can I eat it?
Yes — edible · tastiness 9/10.
How to cook: Grilled or steamed — a prized, pricey 'banagan'.
Safety
- Dangerous2/10
No claws, but sharp spines can scratch.
Fun facts
- Spiny lobsters have no big claws — just long, spiky antennae.
- They migrate in single-file queues across the sand.
- They can 'scream' by rubbing their antennae to scare predators.