Red reef lobster (Enoplometopus occidentalis) care guide

Group
Other invertebrates
Other names
Hawaiian reef lobster, Hairy reef lobster, Red hairy lobster, Nephrops occidentalis
Family
Enoplometopidae
Origin
Indo-West Pacific, including East Africa, Indonesia, the Philippines and Hawaii; reefs and rocky outcrops 3–30 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
14 cm
Temperature
22–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
dKH 8–12, SG 1.023–1.025
Minimum tank
200 litres
Care level
intermediate
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
with_caution

Care

The red reef lobster is a small, bright red to orange reef lobster with white markings and yellow hair-like bristles over the body, slim elongated claws and a rounded tail. Males reach about 14 cm. It is shy, hiding in crevices of reefs and rocky outcrops by day and coming out at night to hunt. The IUCN lists it as least concern; its recent appearance in new parts of the Indian Ocean has been linked to the aquarium trade. Tank set-up: a tank of 200 litres or more with plenty of solid rock caves and crevices, so it can hide. Build rockwork securely, as it may dig under and move loose rocks. Keep one per tank: reef lobsters fight their own kind, except true pairs. A secure lid helps, as lobsters can climb out. Water: about 22–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, dKH 8–12 and specific gravity 1.023–1.025. Stable iodine and trace elements help moulting. After moulting it is soft and hides for a few days. Behaviour and role: a nocturnal predator and scavenger that forages for small fish and invertebrates. It cleans up leftover food, but it can also catch sleeping fish, shrimp, crabs and snails. Our sources cover its biology but not its aquarium care; the figures are general guidance, not from a source. Copper: copper-based medicines are toxic to shrimp, snails and most invertebrates, and some plant fertilisers carry copper too. Never treat a display tank holding this animal with copper; treat fish in a separate hospital tank, and drip-acclimatise new arrivals slowly. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enoplometopusoccidentalis). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Carnivore and scavenger: small fish and invertebrates in the wild. Feed meaty foods such as mysis, krill, chopped prawn, mussel and squid, and sinking pellets, placed near its cave in the evening.

Breeding

Males and females can be told apart by the first pair of swimmerets, which are leaf-like in males and thread-like in females. Females carry eggs under the tail; the larvae are planktonic and are not raised in home aquariums.

Compatibility and tank mates

Does not usually harm corals, but may eat small fish (gobies, blennies, dartfish), shrimp, crabs, small hermits and snails, especially at night. Safe with larger, active fish. One per tank. Reef safe only with caution.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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