Its closest relatives are other squat lobsters in the genus Galathea, such as the Elegant Squat Lobster (Galathea elegans)and the Long-clawed Squat Lobster (Galathea dispersa).
2.5 to 4.7 in (6 to 12 cm)
Length
few ounces
Weight
About
The Spiny Squat Lobster (Galathea strigosa) is a brilliantly patterned crustacean of the family Galatheidae, a group related to true lobsters and crabs. Found in the eastern Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, its range extends from Norway and the British Isles southward to Morocco and into warmer Mediterranean waters. Though small compared to true lobsters, it is one of the largest squat lobster species in European seas and is easily recognized by its vibrant appearance.
Adults typically grow to about 4–7 inches (10–17 cm) long. Their carapace is vividly marked with alternating bright red and white stripes, and their legs often carry striking blue or violet edges, giving them a jewel-like quality on the seafloor. Long, spiny antennae and sharp ridges on the shell provide both defense and the “spiny” namesake. Despite their lobster-like look, squat lobsters have flattened bodies and long, extended claws adapted for grasping food and probing crevices.
The Spiny Squat Lobster inhabits rocky reefs, crevices, and burrows at depths ranging from shallow coastal waters to more than 300 feet (100 meters). They are nocturnal scavengers and opportunistic feeders, consuming small invertebrates, detritus, and organic matter carried by currents. By day, they remain hidden in rocky shelters, emerging at night to forage.
Reproduction involves females carrying fertilized eggs beneath their abdomens until they hatch into planktonic larvae. After drifting in open water, juveniles eventually settle onto reefs where they mature. Lifespan in the wild is not fully known but is likely several years.
Although not a major target for fisheries, Spiny Squat Lobsters are sometimes caught as bycatch. They are considered indicators of healthy reef ecosystems and are a prized sight for divers due to their vivid coloring. Their striking stripes and reef-dwelling habits make them one of the most eye-catching squat lobsters in European waters.
Threatened:
Extinct
Critically Endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Physical Characteristics
The Spiny Squat Lobster (Galathea strigosa) is one of the largest and most colorful squat lobsters in European waters, recognized by its spiny body and vivid markings.
Coloration:
They are typically bright red or orange with striking blue and white bands running across the carapace and legs. This vivid coloration makes them one of the most eye-catching squat lobsters.
Head and Eyes:
They have stalked compound eyes for detecting light and motion. Long, spiny antennae extend forward, used for sensing the environment and warding off predators.
Body:
The body is flattened and heavily armored with spines along the carapace and abdomen. These spines provide protection from predators and give the species its common name.
Legs:
They have five pairs of legs, the first ending in strong claws (chelae) used for feeding and defense. The remaining legs are slender and spiny, adapted for movement across rocky substrates.
Tail (Abdomen):
The abdomen is shorter than that of true lobsters, tucked beneath the body, with a fan-like tail that assists in swimming bursts.
Size:
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Length: Adults typically measure 2.5 to 4.7 in (6 to 12 cm), though some may grow slightly larger.
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Weight: They are light, usually only a few ounces due to their small body size.
Sexual Dimorphism:
Males and females are similar in size and appearance, though females have slightly broader abdomens for carrying eggs.
The Spiny Squat Lobster’s vibrant coloration, armored spiny body, and flattened lobster-like form make it one of the most distinctive squat lobsters of the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean.
Reproduction
The reproductive cycle of the Spiny Squat Lobster is typical of squat lobsters, with high egg production but little parental care beyond brooding.
Mating and Courtship:
Mating usually occurs after the female molts, when her exoskeleton is soft. Courtship involves close physical contact, with males transferring sperm directly to females.
Breeding Season:
Reproduction generally peaks in spring and early summer, though timing may vary with water temperature and region.
Fertilization:
Males fertilize the eggs externally as the female extrudes them, attaching the fertilized eggs to her swimmerets under the abdomen.
Egg Development:
Females carry several hundred to several thousand eggs, depending on body size. Eggs are initially bright orange and darken as development progresses.
Incubation:
Eggs are brooded for 4 to 6 weeks, during which females aerate and clean them with their swimmerets.
Hatching of Larvae:
Upon hatching, larvae enter a planktonic stage, drifting with currents for several weeks before settling onto the seabed as benthic juveniles.
Nurturing and Care:
Parental care is limited to egg carrying; after hatching, larvae are independent and highly vulnerable to predation.
Maturity:
Spiny Squat Lobsters reach sexual maturity within 2 to 3 years, depending on growth rate and environmental conditions.
The Spiny Squat Lobster’s reproductive strategy of high egg output and planktonic larvae ensures dispersal across rocky and reef habitats, balancing low individual survival rates.
Lifespan
The Spiny Squat Lobster is a moderately long-lived squat lobster, with survival influenced by habitat stability, predation, and fishing pressures.
Lifespan in the Wild:
They typically live 5 to 10 years, though some individuals may reach slightly longer lifespans in stable, protected environments.
Lifespan in Captivity:
Rarely kept in captivity, they can survive several years if conditions replicate their rocky reef habitats, but stress and limited diets often shorten their lives.
Threats to Longevity:
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Fishing Pressure: They are sometimes caught as bycatch in lobster and crab fisheries.
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Predation: Fish, octopuses, and larger crustaceans prey on juveniles and adults.
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Habitat Loss: Decline of rocky reefs and seagrass beds reduces shelter and food sources.
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Climate Change: Warming seas and shifting currents may impact larval dispersal and survival.
Conservation of reef and rocky seabed ecosystems, along with reduced bycatch practices, is important for maintaining the natural lifespan of Spiny Squat Lobsters.
Eating Habits
The Spiny Squat Lobster is an opportunistic omnivore, feeding on a mix of live prey and organic matter on rocky seafloors.
Diet:
They consume small fish, mollusks, worms, algae, and detritus, along with carrion when available. Juveniles focus more on plankton and small invertebrates.
Hunting Strategy:
They are mostly nocturnal, leaving crevices at night to forage. Long antennae help detect food sources and nearby predators.
Foraging Behavior:
They live among rocky reefs and seagrass beds, where they sift through sediment and graze on organic material. Their small claws allow them to pick apart prey and scrape surfaces.
Feeding Technique:
The first pair of legs ends in claws (chelae), used to grasp and manipulate food. Mandibles then crush and shred prey into smaller pieces for ingestion.
Feeding Frequency:
They feed frequently but in small amounts, taking advantage of both fresh prey and decaying material available on the seafloor.
Adaptations:
Their spiny armored body deters predators while they forage in open areas, and their flattened body helps them squeeze into crevices for both shelter and food access.
The Spiny Squat Lobster’s omnivorous diet and adaptability make it a key scavenger and grazer in rocky reef ecosystems.
Uniqueness
The Spiny Squat Lobster (Galathea strigosa) is one of the most striking and distinctive squat lobsters in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
Vivid Coloration:
It is brightly marked with red or orange bodies and blue-and-white stripes, making it one of the most colorful squat lobsters in European waters.
Spiny Armor:
Its carapace and legs are covered with sharp spines, providing strong protection against predators and giving the species its common name.
Flattened Body:
Like other squat lobsters, it has a flattened body with a tucked abdomen, resembling a cross between a crab and a lobster.
Hidden Lifestyle:
Despite its vivid coloration, it is secretive, hiding in crevices during the day and emerging at night to feed.
Large for a Squat Lobster:
Reaching up to 4.7 in (12 cm), it is one of the largest squat lobsters, much bigger than tropical relatives like the Hairy Squat Lobster.
Ecological Role:
By feeding on both live prey and carrion, it helps recycle nutrients in rocky reef ecosystems.
The Spiny Squat Lobster’s vivid stripes, spiny armor, and larger size make it one of the most recognizable and unique squat lobsters in the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea.
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FAQ’s
1. What species is closest to the Spiny Squat Lobster?
2. How does the Spiny Squat Lobster compare to other lobsters?
Unlike true lobsters, it is much smaller (up to 4.7 in / 12 cm), with a flattened body and short tucked tail. Its vivid striping makes it unusually colorful.
3. What national parks provide the best opportunities to see a Spiny Squat Lobster?
They can be found in marine reserves such as Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (Wales, UK), Parc National de Port-Cros (France, Mediterranean), and Cabrera Archipelago Maritime-Terrestrial National Park (Spain).
