Orange Dozer Lobster (Enoplometopus sp.)
"Dozer" is an earned nickname — this reef lobster spends its nights plowing through the sand bed with its legs and antennae, turning over substrate other cleanup crew members never touch and aerating it in the process. The vivid orange coloring makes it easy to spot on the rare occasions it comes out during the day, though like most reef lobsters it’s mostly a nocturnal digger that prefers to work while the lights are off.
Care level: Easy · Temperament: Semi-aggressive · Max size: ~6" · Min tank: 40 gal · Reef safe: Yes (with caution around small shrimp) · Diet: Omnivore, scavenger
At a glance
- Scientific name
- Enoplometopus sp.
- Common name
- Orange Dozer Lobster
- Water type
- Saltwater
- Care level
- Easy
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive
- Max size
- ~6"
- Minimum tank
- 40 gal
- Diet
- Omnivore, scavenger
- Reef safe
- Yes (with caution around small shrimp)
When it ships
Most non-quarantined stock goes out the week you order. If we do not already have the animal in-house we source it first — allow up to two weeks for it to reach us. Live animals leave Monday and Tuesday, and Early AM Overnight is the only service that carries a live arrival guarantee.
The live guarantee
Shipped Early AM Overnight: a 1-hour DOA window from confirmed delivery, and nothing beyond it. Next Day Air and 2-Day carry no live arrival guarantee, and neither does USPS Priority. Local pickup or local delivery: 24 hours, if you bring a water sample from your aquarium and we test it before the animal goes home. Maintenance clients: 60 days when we service the aquarium at least twice a month, 28 days on a monthly plan.
Expert guidance
Have a question about this piece?
Cameron draws on 25+ years in the hobby and a marine biology background to help you choose the right fit for your system.