Multicolor Ornate Lobster (Panulirus ornatus)

Ornate lobsters carry some of the boldest banding patterns in the whole spiny lobster family, and those long, thick antennae aren't just for show — rub them against ridges at the base and the lobster produces an audible rasping sound meant to startle predators, a defense called stridulation that works surprisingly well on anything that isn't expecting a rock to make noise back. Give it plenty of rockwork to retreat into during the day; this is a lobster that does its real business after dark.

Care level: Easy · Temperament: Semi-aggressive · Max size: ~10" · Min tank: 55 gal · Reef safe: Yes (with caution around small shrimp) · Diet: Omnivore, scavenger