Off the coast of Portland, Maine, a fisherman recently hauled up a sight so stunning it barely seemed real.
Resting in his trap was a glowing blue lobster, its shell shimmering like a gemstone under the sunlight. Encounters like this are estimated to happen only once in every two million lobsters, making the catch a true one-in-a-lifetime moment.
The fisherman, who has not been named, admired the rare creature before gently returning it to the ocean, allowing it to continue its life in the wild.
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The photo of the lobster quickly spread online after tech entrepreneur Lars-Johan Larsson shared it, noting that the vibrant crustacean had been released back into the water.
Many who saw the image were amazed by the lobster’s intense blue color, something few people ever witness in person.
Why Some Lobsters Turn Brilliant Blue
Most lobsters found in North America have shells that range from brown to greenish tones. The striking blue color appears when a rare genetic mutation causes the lobster to produce too much of a certain protein.
This protein mixes with natural pigments and creates an electric blue hue that seems almost unreal. Although the mutation is rare, the large number of lobsters caught each year means that a few of these beauties do occasionally show up.
Researchers note that the effect looks especially dramatic in American lobsters.
Charlie Ellis from the National Lobster Hatchery in Cornwall explained that European lobsters already have a bluish tint, so while bright blue ones are still uncommon, they may not shock fishermen as much as they do in the United States.
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Even Rarer Colors Hide Beneath the Waves
While a blue lobster is a showstopper, there are other color variations that are far rarer. The University of Maine’s Lobster Institute reports that yellow lobsters appear only once in every thirty million.
Albino or crystal lobsters, which have a ghostly white shell, may occur only once in one hundred million. In 2011, fishermen in Dorset, England, caught a crystal lobster that astonished experts with its pearly, transparent color.
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Still, many researchers agree that blue lobsters steal the spotlight. Rob Bayer of the Lobster Institute noted that although they may not be the rarest, they are undoubtedly the most striking to look at.
When a Rare Catch Changes a Heart
Stories of rare lobsters often go beyond the science and touch on compassion. In one memorable case, a man named Hopley caught a rare lobster and felt unable to sell or eat it.
He named it Larry and went on a mission to find it a safe home. After hours of calling aquatic centers, Larry was finally accepted by Sea Life Manchester, where he still lives today.
Hopley said he simply could not put such an extraordinary creature on the menu. He wanted others to appreciate its beauty instead.
A Symbol of Luck and Respect for the Sea
Among fishermen, catching a blue lobster has long been seen as a sign of good fortune. Returning the creature to the ocean reflects a growing respect for nature’s rare wonders.
These unusual lobsters remind us of the hidden beauty waiting below the surface and the role humans play in choosing whether to take or to protect.
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Each time a rare lobster rises from the deep, it brings with it a story of chance, mystery, and the surprising colors that nature still keeps tucked away.
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