White and albino lobsters are considered to be extremely rare with the Shellfish Research Laboratory (NUIG) estimating the occurrence at 1 in 1,132,000 lobsters.
This particular male lobster was caught by local fisherman Charlie O’Malley who has generously donated it to the Achill Experience Aquarium where it is now in temporary accommodation.
Rare Orange Lobster finds a home at the Achill Experience
A white lobster which was considered to be a one in a million find, graced the Achill Experience with its presence to much surprise, welcome and attention. It has been joined by an even rarer visitor, an Orange Lobster. People may think lobsters are red/orange however that is when they are cooked, it is exceptionally rare to have a live orange lobster however the Achill Experience took delivery of one from Cathal King, a County Galway fisherman who made this amazing find in his lobster pots.
“to acquire one rare lobster was something very special for the team here however to have a second within two weeks is mind-blowing, this will allow us create very exciting programmes of activities, educational programmes for children and families alike, and be a subject of great interest for tourists doing the wild Atlantic way and visiting Achill”.Terence Dever, CEO of CFÁA
“Smurfette” was caught of Sligo by Fisherman Michael Kelly
“Sapphire” was caught off Sligo by Fisherman Caden O’Donnell
Why are some lobsters different colours?
Lobsters eat a carotenoid pigment in their plant food called astaxanthin.
This pigment is stored in a lobster’s skin underneath its hard outer shell.
Over time, the pigment begins to migrate into the shell, where different shell proteins alter the pigment to store it, changing its colour to a dark blue. Due to genetic disorders some lobsters lack the ability to allow the proteins to change the pigment colour hence some are white, some are orange and some are light blue.