Painted Spiny Lobster
(Panulirius versicolor)

Description

Painted Spiny Lobster: A Vibrant, Striking Reef Addition

Add a splash of exotic colour to your marine aquarium with the stunning Painted Spiny Lobster. Its vibrant patterns and unique personality make it a captivating resident.

Overview

The Painted Spiny Lobster (*Panulirus versicolor*) boasts an exquisite palette of blues, greens, whites, and blacks, adorned with intricate bands and reticulated patterns across its carapace and legs. Unlike true lobsters, it lacks large claws, relying instead on its robust, spiny exoskeleton and long antennae for defence and navigation. This nocturnal crustacean typically seeks refuge in rockwork during the day, emerging at night to explore your aquarium, sometimes performing a distinctive “antennae dance.”

Care Level

Considered a moderate care inhabitant, the Painted Spiny Lobster is semi-aggressive. While generally peaceful towards larger fish, it may prey on smaller invertebrates or sluggish bottom-dwellers, especially if not adequately fed. Provide ample hiding spots to ensure its comfort. Multiple specimens can be kept together only in very spacious aquariums.

Tank Essentials

A mature marine aquarium of at least 380 litres (100 gallons) is recommended for an adult Painted Spiny Lobster, providing ample space and stable conditions. Maintain water parameters within a pH range of 8.1-8.4 and a temperature of 22-26°C. Ensure specific gravity is between 1.023-1.025. Ample live rock is crucial for hiding.

Diet

As an omnivore, the Painted Spiny Lobster thrives on a varied diet rich in meaty foods. Offer high-quality marine pellets, flakes, frozen shrimp, squid, mussels, and other marine-sourced proteins. Regular feeding is key to reducing its predatory tendencies towards tank mates.

Why Buy From Us

When you buy Painted Spiny Lobster online from Corais de Vidro, you receive healthy, responsibly sourced aquarium inhabitants. We prioritise the well-being of every creature, ensuring proper acclimation and humane shipping practices for robust, vibrant additions to your home aquarium. Your satisfaction and the health of your aquatic environment are our top priorities.

• Scientific Name: Panulirus versicolor
• Common Name / Variant: Painted Spiny Lobster / Blue Spiny Lobster
• Maximum Size: 40 cm
• Origin: Indo-Pacific
• pH Range: 8.1–8.4
• Temperature: 22–26°C
• Lifespan: Up to 15 years
• Swimming Zone: Bottom

Bring the beauty of the Painted Spiny Lobster to your reef today!