Balmain Bug
Scientific name: Ibacus peronii
Alternative name/s:
Flapjack, Slipper Lobster, Butterfly Fan Lobster
Flapjack, Slipper Lobster, Butterfly Fan Lobster
Click to enlarge image
Balmain Bug, Ibacus peronii
Image: Dr Isobel Bennett
© Australian Museum
© Australian Museum
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Ibacus
- Species
- peronii
- Subfamily
- Ibacinae
- Family
- Scyllaridae
- Infraorder
- Palinura
- Order
- Decapoda
- Class
- Malacostraca
- Subphylum
- Crustacea
- Phylum
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 7 cm
Introduction
The Balmain Bug is a type of slipper lobster and is closely related to the rock lobsters. It is a popular, edible crustacean common throughout Sydney fish markets and fish shops.
Identification
The Balmain Bug has no pincers and uses its short, wide antennae to dig into sand and mud on the ocean floor in search of food.
Habitat
The Balmain Bug lives in the ocean at depths of 20 m - 500 m.
Distribution
The Balmain Bug is found from Southport in Queensland, through to New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania to Geraldton in Western Australia. Also found in New Zealand.
