Hoplometopus holthuisi is sometimes called the bullseye lobster because of the round white mark on the side of its carapace. Of the four species of red lobsters known from Kwajalein, these are the ones most often seen, although they too are not common. They can occasionally be seen peeking out of ledges and small caves on the seaward reef at night. Sensitive to light, they tend to back into their caves at the approach of a diver. While we have caught these on video several times, we do not have a still photo from Kwajalein; the photo below was taken at Puako on the island of Hawaii.
Created 26 June 2018
Updated 16 January 2023