Identification Photos: Blue Spiny Lobster, Pinto Spiny Lobster, Panulirus inflatus: The Blue Spiny Lobster is characterized by its lack of "Maine Lobster" style claws; instead, it has a pair of first legs which are walking legs.

The Blue Spiny Lobster is a member of the Palinuridae Family and Palinuroidea Superfamily and of lobsters.

The Blue Spiny Lobster is from one of the two genera of lobsters found in Mexican waters, the Spiny Lobsters, Panulirus, and the Slipper Lobsters, Evibacus. Both are found outside the tidal zone, eat everything in their path, and at times are difficult to collect.

In Mexico, the Blue Spiny Lobster ranges from Magdalena Bay along the Pacific side of the Baja California peninsula, throughout the Sea of Cortez, and south on the Mexican mainland coast to the Gulf of Tehuantepec.

It is sold commercially in mainland Mexico, but is generally small in size and does not survive well in captivity, making it of limited value.

Blue Spiny Lobster, Panulirus inflatus: Captured, with Amigo Dave, via line entanglement while surf fishing at the Trailer Park, Km. 55, on the Todos Santos Road, Baja California Sur, Mexico, August 2004, utilizing 15-pound test line, with a two dropper loop rig, no swivels, 1.5-ounce bank sinker, and Mustad 92553 hooks, size #4, on cut squid. Size approximately 14 inches and 8 pounds. Description and photo courtesy John Snow.