General Description
Stereomastis nana is a blind, lobster-like crustacean with two rostral spines on the frontal margin of the carapace. Though they do have eyestalks, these lack functional eyes. In females, all five pairs of limbs have claws, while in males the fifth limb pair lacks well-developed claws. Body up to 90 mm in length.
Biology
Deep-water species about which very little is known. Though they are usually found on the sea floor, they are able to swim forwards in open water in a 'shrimp-like' manner by beating the pleopods on their abdomen.
Distribution
Indo-West Pacific waters, including off Queensland, New South Wales,Tasmania and South Australia.
Habitat
Slope marine dwelling on the muddy seafloor at 200-4000 m depth.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Fast Fact
Blind lobsters use their skinny front claws to scavenge on dead fish but may catch live prey such as small crustaceans.
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Brief Id
Blind, lobster-like crustaceans with an oval flat carapace, long thin claws, and a tapering abdomen with sharp teeth on top.
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Colours
Red, Pink
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Maximum Size
100 mm
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Habitats
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Diet
Carnivore
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Diet Categories
Crustaceans, Fish
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Endemicity
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Conservation Statuses
CITES: Not listed, EPBC Act 1999: Not listed, Fisheries Act 1995: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Least Concern
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Depths
Deep ( > 30 m)
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Water Column Locations
On or near seafloor
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
(Smith, 1884)
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Phylum
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Subphylum
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Superclass
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Class
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Subclass
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Superorder
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Order
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Suborder
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Infraorder
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Family
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Genus
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Species Name
nana
