Types of Lobster - Lobster Species
Learn all about the different types of lobster
When most people think of a lobster, they are probably thinking of a Maine lobster. In fact there are two main types of lobster common in the world, Clawed lobsters and Spiny Lobsters.
Clawed Lobsters - There are two different species of clawed lobsters, the American lobster and the European lobster. The two types of lobster are similar in size but the European lobsters typically have a darker color and the claws may be slightly smaller. The American Lobsters are found off of the east coast of the United States and Canada. The American Lobster also known as a Maine Lobster, is most common live in restaurants and supermarkets. Clawed lobsters contain more meat then spiny lobsters thus they are most commonly sold live. Clawed lobsters are typically cold water lobsters. Clawed lobsters thrive in cold, shallow waters as far north as New Found land and as far south as North Carolina. Lobsters usually live in deep water in the fall and return to shallower depths in the spring.
Spiny Lobsters - Spiny lobsters have no claws, have a harder shell and have very large antenna. The two main regions that support spiny lobsters are the California coast and in the Caribbean. Because spiny lobsters have no claws, most of the meat is contained in the lobster tails. Because of this, spiny lobsters are most often sold live locally or usually harvested just for the lobster tail. Spiny lobsters are typically warm water lobsters.
Lobster Tails - Lobster tails can be from either spiny lobster (warm water lobster tails) or clawed lobsters (cold water lobster tails). Warm water lobster tails are more common because the spiny lobster lacks claws and most of the meat is contained in the tail. Clawed lobster tails most commonly known as Maine lobster tails are less common and more expensive but are said to be the most delicious. Warm water lobster tails also have a greater chance of going bad before cooking. Read the buying lobster tails guide here.
Clawed Lobsters
- American Lobster
- Canadian Lobster
- European Lobster
- Maine Lobster
- French Lobster
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Spiny Lobsters
- California Spiny Lobster
- Florida Spiny Lobster
- Brazilian Spiny Lobster
- Rock Lobsters
- Langoustine Lobsters
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Lobster Tails
Maine Lobster Tails - Arguably the best lobster tails in the world
South African lobster Tails - Uniquely red and delicious.
Frozen Lobster Tails - Most common variety of lobster tail
Cooking Lobster Tails - Learn how to cook lobster tails.
Tiny Lobster Tails - Check out these tiny lobster tails
Cold Water Lobster Tails generally come from South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Maine. Maine Lobster Tails are known as the best lobster tails in the world.
Warm Water Lobster Tails typically come from Cuba, Nicaragua, Florida, the Caribbean and Latin America. Come discover the tastiest Warm water lobster tails.
Lobster Species Worldwide
- Atlantic deep-sea lobster (Acanthacaris caeca)
- Prickly deep-sea lobster (Acanthacaris tenuimana)
- Red lobster (Eunephrops bairdii)
- Sculptured lobster (Eunephrops cadenasi)
- Banded lobster (Eunephrops manningi)
- American lobster (Homarus americanus)
- Mitten lobsterette (Nephropides caribaeus)
- Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus)
- Spinetail lobsterette (Nephropsis acanthura)
- Florida lobsterette (Nephropsis aculeata)
- Prickly lobsterette (Nephropsis agassizii)
- Scarlet lobsterette (Nephropsis atlantica)
- Ridge-back lobsterette (Nephropsis carpenteri)
- Gladiator lobsterette (Nephropsis ensirostris)
- Saya de Malha lobsterette (Nephropsis malhaensis)
- Ruby lobsterette (Nephropsis neglecta)
- Pacific lobsterette (Nephropsis occidentalis)
- Rosy (or Two-toned) lobsterette (Nephropsis rosea)
- Indian Ocean lobsterette (Nephropsis stewarti)
- Red and White lobsterette (Nephropsis suhmi)
- Grooved lobsterette (Nephropsis sulcata)
- Bellator lobster (Thymopides grobovi)
- Patagonian lobsterette (Thymops birsteini)
- Nilenta lobsterette (Thymopsis nilenta)
- Cape lobster (Homarus capensis)
- European lobster (Homarus gammarus)
- Andaman lobster (Metanephrops andamanicus)
- Arafura lobster (Metanephrops arafurensis)
- Armored lobster (Metanephrops armatus)
- Northwest lobster (Metanephrops australensis)
- Caribbean lobsterette (Metanephrops binghami)
- New Zealand lobster (Metanephrops challengeri)
- Formosa lobster (Metanephrops formosanus)
- Japanese lobster (Metanephrops japonicus)
- African lobster (Metanephrops mozambicus)
- Neptune lobster (Metanephrops neptunus)
- Urugavian lobster (Metanephrops rubellus)
- Sculpted lobster (Metanephrops sagamiensis)
- Siboga lobster (Metanephrops sibogae)
- China lobster (Metanephrops sinensis)
- Red-banded lobster (Metanephrops thomsoni)
- Velvet lobster (Metanephrops velutinus)
- Bight lobster (Metanephrops boschmai)
Buying Live Lobster Guide
Lobster Recipes
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