The Hawaii-endemic Panulirus marginus is the spiny lobster we saw most often in Hawaii, and is, along with its congener Panulirus penicillatus, sought after (within season) as a game species by many Hawaiian divers. Although there is considerable overlap and either can be found at any depth, my experience is that P. marginatus tended to occur in deeper water than the similar P. penicillatus. Reported to reach at least 40cm.
The individual below from Kure Atoll bears an orange numbered tag inserted between its abdomen and tail. Such tags were used in growth and population studies at Kure in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Both Panulirus marginatus (larger) and P. penicillatus (with striped legs) occupying the same cave on a shallow reef at Oahu, Hawaii.
Created 6 October 2021