Ibacus peronii Click to enlarge image
Balmain Bug, Ibacus peronii Image: Dr Isobel Bennett
© 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.