Debelius Reef Lobster

Debelius Reef Lobster Overview

• Common Name: Debelius Reef Lobster

• Scientific Name: Enoplometopus debelius

• Also Known As: Purple Reef Lobster, Debelius’ Lobster

• Family: Enoplometopidae (Reef lobsters – not true lobsters like Panulirus)

• Origin: Indo-Pacific – primarily around Indonesia and the Philippines

• Size: Up to 4 inches (10 cm)

• Lifespan: 5–8 years (sometimes longer in stable aquariums)

🌈 Appearance

• Color: Deep purple to violet body with small white spots

• Claws: One pair of prominent front claws (unlike true lobsters, which have two large claws)

• Antennae: Long and white, often visible even when the lobster is hiding

• Body Structure: Similar to a squat shrimp or mini-lobster with one enlarged claw

🏝️ Natural Habitat

• Found in crevices, caves, and rock overhangs in reef and rocky areas

• Nocturnal and solitary — hides most of the day and emerges at night to scavenge

🐠 Aquarium Care

Tank Requirements:

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons (larger if housing multiple hiding animals)

• Aquascape:

  • Plenty of live rock with crevices and tunnels

  • Low lighting during acclimation helps reduce stress

  • Strong hiding spaces are essential — it will pick a cave and defend it

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 74–80°F (23–27°C)

• pH: 8.1–8.4

• Salinity: 1.023–1.025

• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm

• Nitrate: <20 ppm preferred

• Water Quality: Needs clean, stable water

🍽️ Diet

• Feeding Type: Scavenger / Omnivore

• Diet:

  • Meaty foods like mysis shrimp, krill, clams, or squid

  • Sinking pellets or wafers

  • May eat leftover food from fish feedings

• Feeding Frequency: 3–4 times a week (more often if few fish are in the tank)

• Will come out at night to forage

🤝 Behavior & Compatibility

• Temperament: Semi-aggressive and territorial

• Reef Safe: ✅ With caution

  • Will not harm corals

  • May attack small fish or shrimp that wander too close to its den

  • Best kept in larger tanks with sufficient territory

• Tankmates:

  • Best with medium to large peaceful or semi-aggressive fish

  • Avoid small gobies, shrimp, and bottom-dwellers that might enter its cave

  • Do not keep with other lobsters or similar species — will fight

✅ Pros

• Gorgeous and unique appearance

• Reef-safe with corals

• Helps clean up leftover food

• Hardy and long-lived in good conditions

❌ Cons

• Very reclusive — may not be seen often

• Can be aggressive toward small fish, shrimp, or other lobsters

• Nocturnal — may only come out after lights go off

• Can rearrange rockwork or shift corals while digging

💡 Tips for Success

• Provide multiple caves or overhangs

• Feed after lights out to encourage activity

• Avoid mixing with:

  • Cleaner shrimp

  • Fire shrimp

  • Small gobies or dartfish

• Cover all pump and overflow intakes — they can get stuck while exploring

Summary