Western Rock Lobster are sometimes called ‘crayfish’ or ‘crays’ however they are actually very different! Besides size, the major difference between lobsters and crayfish is that lobsters live in saltwater, such as oceans and seas, while crayfish live in freshwater, including lakes, rivers, streams and ponds.

They can live for over 20 years and reach sizes over five kilograms, although fishing rules to protect the breeding stock mean that animals over three kilograms are rarely retained by fishers.

This lobster species belongs to the spiny lobster family, which get their name from the hundreds of tiny forward-pointing spines that cover their body and carapace, as well as their most prominent feature – the two huge antennae that protrude from their head. Whilst these antennae are vital for spiny lobsters to find their way around, they also form a crucial defensive weapon and communications tool.

Click on the links opposite for more species information, including habitat, diet and life cycle.