RARE TYPE OF CRAYFISH

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29725, 19 January 1962, Page 11

RARE TYPE OF CRAYFISH

Spanish Lobster Caught (N Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Jan. 18. A type of crayfish rare in New Zealand waters was caught recently by Mr N. Johnston. of Cambridge, about .150 yards from the shore at Whitianga. , Mr Johnston is a keen underwater fisherman. He made the catch at a depth of 30 feet. The fish had two separate front flaps and no feelers. The eyes were deeper socketed and set wider in the head than the common crayfish. Its body was set lower and in parts was a deep mottled blue. The tail was fleshy and the claws longer than normal. The assistant-director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Dr. A. W. B, Powell, yesterday identified the crayfish as an arctides antipodarum or Spanish lobster. Dr. Powell said it was the second record of this type being taken in New Zealand waters The first was taken in about 30 feet of water off a small island near Great Barrier Island, he said. The first crayfish was found about February. 1960. The group is found widely distributed, said Dr. Powell. It is normally an Australian species Dr. Powell said that this type of crayfish was most likely to be found by skindiver? in deep caverns.