Spiny Squat Lobster

Galathea strigosa is a species of squat lobster found in the northeast Atlantic Ocean, from the Nordkapp to the Canary Islands, and in the Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea.

Description

It is the largest squat lobster in the northeast Atlantic. Its overall body length is about 90 mm, carapace up to 53 mm. It is vivid red with patches and bands of bright blue. Rostrum is with a long apical spine and covered with fringed scales. There are three epigastric spines on each side, middle one is longest. Carapace grooves are densely pilose. It is edible, but not fished for commercially.

Distribution

From the North Cape, Norway to Spain, Canaries, the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.

Habitat

It is often seen on night dives when it comes out in the open, searching for food. In daytime it hides in crevices or under rocks. It can be found on any depth from the sublittoral zone and down to 600 meters.