Lobster lifer

This is a sculptured lobster (Parribacus antarcticus), also known as a sculptured slipper lobster. I was super excited by this find and immediately rattled my shaker to signal to Beth that I found something unusual. She was about 5 meters away and at essentially the same time started to rattle her shaker. I rattled more vigorously to say "I found something that you want to see". And then she did hers even more. Rather than having a rattling argument underwater I inspected my lobster to be sure that I could find it again and finned over to her. Whatever she found better be good. And to my incredible surprise, it was *another* sculptured lobster. But hers was sitting on an orange elephant ear sponge (shown) while mine was tucked under a ledge surrounded by rubble. So you are seeing my 2nd lobster and her first.

 

They are nocturnal, which is one reason we don't usually see them. But they are also not common. They are not the most beautiful of creatures, but they are interesting. The large plates in front of the eyes are actually the antennae.

Done