Brad Myslinski has been hauling lobster traps off the Massachusetts coast for over two decades. Every morning starts the same way: coffee at 4 AM, boat prep by sunrise, then hours of pulling lines from the cold Atlantic waters. He’s seen thousands of lobsters come up in those traps – mostly the familiar mottled brown and green creatures that end up on dinner plates across New England.
But on one July morning in 2025, something in his trap made him stop mid-motion. Among the usual catch sat a lobster that looked like it belonged in a neon sign rather than the ocean floor. Its shell blazed an impossible electric blue, so vivid it seemed to glow against the grey morning sky.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Myslinski told local reporters. “For a second, I thought someone had painted it as a joke.”
The Science Behind Nature’s Neon Surprise
What Myslinski discovered was an electric blue lobster – one of nature’s rarest color variations. While most American lobsters display the typical dark greenish-brown coloration that helps them blend into rocky seafloor environments, genetic mutations occasionally produce spectacular alternatives.
The electric blue coloration results from an overproduction of a specific protein that reflects blue wavelengths of light. Marine biologists estimate that only one in two million American lobsters naturally develops this striking blue hue. But the odds of a commercial fisherman actually catching one are even more astronomical.
“The chances of landing an electric blue lobster are roughly one in 200 million,” explains Dr. Sarah Chen, a marine geneticist at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. “It’s like winning the lottery while being struck by lightning.”
The rarity stems from multiple factors working against these blue beauties. Their vivid coloration makes them extremely visible to predators in their natural habitat. Most electric blue lobsters get eaten long before they reach the size that commercial traps typically catch.
Breaking Down the Lobster Color Spectrum
Myslinski’s electric blue lobster, now named Neptune, represents just one type of rare lobster coloration. The genetic lottery can produce several stunning variations:
| Color Type | Estimated Rarity | Genetic Cause |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Blue | 1 in 2 million | Excess blue protein production |
| Red (living) | 1 in 10 million | Missing enzyme for shell darkening |
| Yellow | 1 in 30 million | Lack of blue and red pigments |
| Calico/Split Color | 1 in 50 million | Genetic mosaicism |
| Albino | 1 in 100 million | Complete absence of pigmentation |
Each color variation tells a different genetic story. The split-colored or “calico” lobsters show the most dramatic example – literally half normal brown and half bright blue or red, as if someone drew a line down the middle.
- Blue lobsters often show the most vibrant coloration when young
- Red lobsters appear cooked even when alive
- Yellow specimens look almost golden under certain lighting
- Albino lobsters lack any pigmentation and appear translucent
“What makes Neptune special isn’t just the color intensity,” notes Dr. Michael Torres, a crustacean specialist at the University of Maine. “It’s that he survived long enough in the wild to reach catchable size while wearing what amounts to a neon target on his back.”
From Ocean Floor to Touch Tank Celebrity
Recognizing he held something extraordinary, Myslinski made a decision that surprised even his crew. Instead of selling Neptune to a seafood distributor, he contacted a local science teacher who helped connect him with the Northeastern University Marine Science Center in Nahant.
The response was immediate. Marine biologists practically raced to examine the electric blue lobster, confirming its authenticity and rarity. Within days, Neptune had a new home in a specially designed touch tank that mimics the rocky New England seafloor.
Neptune now shares space with tautog fish, sculpins, crabs, and sea urchins – giving visitors a realistic glimpse of underwater Atlantic ecosystems. Despite his celebrity status, Neptune behaves exactly like any other American lobster: hiding under rocks during the day, scavenging for food, and showing particular enthusiasm for fresh mussels.
Local high school students voted on Neptune’s name, choosing the Roman sea god as a fitting tribute to the lobster’s otherworldly appearance. The naming process itself became an educational moment, with students researching ocean mythology and marine biology.
“Kids who usually zone out during science talks suddenly become fascinated when they see Neptune,” says Jennifer Walsh, the center’s education coordinator. “A rare blue lobster opens doors to discussions about genetics, evolution, and ocean conservation.”
What Neptune’s Discovery Means for Marine Research
Beyond its obvious wow factor, Neptune provides valuable research opportunities. Scientists can study how genetic mutations affect lobster behavior, survival rates, and reproduction without the ethical concerns of laboratory breeding programs.
The discovery also highlights the incredible biodiversity hidden in familiar ecosystems. New England’s fishing grounds, worked for centuries, continue producing biological surprises that challenge our understanding of marine genetics.
Commercial fishermen like Myslinski play crucial roles in marine research simply by recognizing when they’ve caught something unusual. The partnership between fishing communities and research institutions benefits both groups – scientists get access to rare specimens, while fishermen contribute to scientific understanding.
“Every unusual catch tells us something new about ocean ecosystems,” explains Dr. Chen. “Brad’s decision to save Neptune instead of selling it gives us insights we couldn’t get any other way.”
Neptune’s story also demonstrates changing attitudes toward marine conservation. Previous generations might have viewed the electric blue lobster as simply a curiosity to be sold to the highest bidder. Today’s approach emphasizes scientific value and educational impact.
The electric blue lobster now serves as an ambassador for ocean conservation, drawing thousands of visitors annually to the marine science center. Each person who meets Neptune leaves with a deeper appreciation for marine biodiversity and the genetic surprises hiding beneath the waves.
FAQs
How long do electric blue lobsters live?
Electric blue lobsters have the same lifespan as regular lobsters, potentially living 50-100 years if they avoid predators and fishing nets.
Can electric blue lobsters reproduce and pass on their color?
Yes, but the blue gene is recessive, meaning both parents must carry it for offspring to display the electric blue coloration.
Do electric blue lobsters taste different from regular lobsters?
No, the meat tastes identical to regular lobsters since the color difference only affects shell pigmentation.
Are there other blue animals in the ocean?
Yes, many marine species display blue coloration, but electric blue is extremely rare in lobsters specifically due to their typical bottom-dwelling, camouflaged lifestyle.
What happens to Neptune when he gets too big for the tank?
The marine center will likely upgrade Neptune’s habitat or potentially relocate him to a larger aquarium facility where he can continue serving as an educational ambassador.
Could climate change affect the occurrence of colored lobster mutations?
Scientists are studying whether changing ocean conditions might influence genetic expression in marine species, but more research is needed to draw definitive conclusions.