Fisherman finds a very rare lobster “cotton candy” with spectacular colors: it is estimated to appear once out of 100 million

At the end of July 2024, the young fisherman Joseph Kramer he lived a unique experience while controlling his traps for lobsters off the coast of New Castle, in New Hampshire. Together with his father and his girlfriend, the twenty -five -year -old owner of the Atlantic Lobster Company discovered a crustacean with extraordinary colors which, initially, had mistaken for a blue lobster.

However, once observed better, he realized that his discovery was even more exceptional: A “Cotton Candy” angost (“Cotton candy”), a very rare specimen that is estimated to appear only once every 100 million.

Recognizing the importance of the discovery, Kramer decided to bring lobster to Seacoast Science Center by Ryewhere Sam Rutka, an aquarium expert, confirmed that the crustacean was a healthy male, of an age between 6 and 14 years old. His coloring, a surprising Lavender, pink and purple mixtureis the result of a genetic mutation which alters the distribution of pigments in its shell.

The lobster with bright colors are easy target of predators

The lobsters owe their color to several layers of carotenoids pigments which normally combine to create a brown shade. However, when a mutation intervenes, can modify this combinationgiving life to particular colors such as blue, two -tone, albino or, in very rare cases, cotton candy. In addition to genetics, also diet It can affect the intensity of the color, in a similar way to what happens with the flamingos, which owe their pink tint to the crustaceans of which they feed.

Despite their beauty, the lobster with bright colors are disadvantaged in nature: their visibility makes them a target easier for predators. Precisely this vulnerability contributes to their extreme rarity, since few specimens survive for a long time in the open sea.

Fortunately, the crustacean discovered by Kramer He will be able to live safely in the Seacoast Science Centerwhere it will join other rare lobsters, including blue specimens and orange. In this way, visitors and marine biology enthusiasts will have the opportunity to admire the exceptional cotton candy lobster up close. A necessary measure to protect it, but it is inevitable to think how much it would be more “alive” and carefree in nature.