Panulirus ornatus, also known as tropical rock lobster, ornate rock lobster, ornate rock lobster, and ornate tropical rock lobster, is a species of large edible spiny lobster that has been Successfully bred in captivity. The species has a wide geographical range, from the Red Sea and KwaZulu-Natal in the west to Japan and Fiji in the east. Panulirus ornatus can be found at shallow depths, usually no deeper than 50 m. While in most parts of its range lobsters are netted or speared, in North-Eastern Australia a commercial fishery has existed since 1966 and harvest of the species is regulated by the Authority. manages the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. This species has also colonized the Mediterranean as a Lessepsian migrant via the Suez Canal.

The diet of Panulirus ornatus includes a variety of invertebrates, including bivalves, gastropods, and small crustaceans. These lobsters depend on carotenoids for energy as well as other functional benefits, including reproductive success, postlarval development, antioxidants, and stress resistance. Many of these lobster species depend on crustacean food when spawning in aquaculture facilities. In these feeds, one of the most important ingredients is carotenoids, especially astaxanthin. Many feeds also rely on nutrients from blue-lipped mussels and mussels, but experiments have shown that the carotenoid levels provided by these feeds alone are insufficient for lobster growth.

Panulirus ornatus migrates annually from Torres Strait to Yule Island in the Gulf of Papua to breed. Migration begins in mid to late August, during which time ovarian development, mating, and initial ovulation occur. Larval release occurs when Panulirus ornatus populations finish their migration and reach coral reefs on the east coast of the Gulf of Papua. The breeding season of Panulirus ornatus lasts from November to March or April. After migrating to the Gulf of Papua, the sexes are separated according to water depth. The male goes into shallower water and the female goes into deeper water until the eggs hatch. Female Panulirus ornatus gives birth to a maximum of three litters, with a reduction in the size of each subsequent litter. Most breeding adults are three years old, and after breeding, mortality among breeding adults is very high.

There is no return migration of breeding adults. Breeding migrations through the Gulf of Papua occur to disperse larvae along ocean currents that favor their distribution near the Torres Strait. Dispersed across the east coast of Australia, Panulirus ornatus larvae must migrate as juveniles to adult habitats north of the Torres Strait. From there, they stay in a particular reef community for 1–2 years until they reach breeding age and undertake their annual mass migration to spawn.

Panulirus ornatus has been successfully bred in captivity and this may have important implications for the conservation and management of wild populations. Captive breeding could provide a source of lobsters for aquaculture, which could reduce pressure on wild populations. Furthermore, captive breeding programs can be used to develop larval rearing techniques, which can be challenging. This could also help restore depleted populations in the wild. The ability to raise and breed Panulirus ornatus in captivity could also lead to the development of a more sustainable and efficient lobster industry.

In summary, Panulirus ornatus is a large, edible spiny lobster with a wide geographic range in the Indo-Pacific. This species can be found at shallow depths, usually no deeper than 50 m, and is harvested commercially in Northeastern Australia. The food of this species includes a variety of invertebrates