Southern Rock Lobster

Jasus novaehollandiae

Systematics:Palinura Family Panuliridae

Distinguishing Characters:
The carapace is cylindrical and above the eyes are a pair of almost vertical supraorbital spines. The abdomen is decorated with a tile-like sculpture. The maximum body length is about 50 cm but individuals this long are rarely seen today.

Habitat and Distribution:
This southern rock lobster ranges from central New South Wales to Perth, Western Australia from the immediate subtidal down to about 90 m, sometimes to 150 m depth on rocky reefs.

General Biology:
This is the commonest species of lobster in southeastern Australia where it is the usual species in fish-shops and restaurants. Egg-laying occurs from May to July and the females carry the eggs on the pleopods and are said to be “in berry”. The larvae hatch from July to December. This species and the one from New Zealand are very similar and may in fact be the same species. Colour patterns of the two differ as do the number of tile-like plates on the abdomen. Phyllosomas from this complex of species are widespread through the Tasman Sea but the degree of gene exchange is not known.

Feedback and queries should be sent to the Discovery Centre at Museum Victoria.
Please note, the Discovery Centre can help you only with questions about crustaceans from southeastern Australia. It can not advise on the care of pet hermit crabs or on crustaceans from other regions.