Balmain Bug
Ibacus peronii (Eastern Balmain Bug)
Bug, flapjack, flying saucer, sand lobster, shovelnose lobster, shovel-nosed lobster, slipper lobster, southern baylobster, southern bay lobster, squagga, squat lobster.
Family
Scyllaridae (shovel-nosed/slipper lobsters).
Description, Location, Habitat and Harvesting Information
A marine crustacean with a reddish brown shell, broad flat head with eyes close to the centre, short narrower tail and 5 pairs of small legs. Currently only available wild-caught, though aquaculture research is underway. Found mainly on the continental slope, from 15m-650m, most commonly less than 150m, south from Fraser Island in Queensland to Geraldton in WA (with a pocket further north on the North West Shelf from Port Hedland to Broome) though caught primarily off the NSW coast as bycatch of fish and Prawn trawling (and specifically targeted in some areas). They often bury themselves in sand or mud during the day and become active after dark.
Ibacus peronii is the largest and commercially most important member of the seven Ibacus species found in Australia (others include
Ibacus alticrenatus and
Ibacus chacei).
Season
Available year round peaking in January and February.
Size and Weight
Average 120g, but commonly 80-200g with 10-14cm wide head.
Price
Medium-high priced, more expensive in areas where they are caught as they are familiar and popular.
Relations
Moreton Bay Bugs, Rocklobsters, Slipper Lobsters. Most easily distinguished from similar species by the central position of the eyes; Moreton Bay Bugs’ eyes are located on the outer edges of the shell and those of Slipper Lobsters are also closer to the edges than to the centre. Moreton Bay Bugs have a narrower body.
To Buy
Sold whole, sometimes live (and frozen whole, tails and as meat). Look for brightly coloured, firm, intact, lustrous shells, without any discolouration, particularly at joints, and a pleasant fresh sea smell.
To Store
Wrap whole Bugs or meat in plastic wrap or place in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months below -18ºC.
To Cook
Average yield is 30%, the edible flesh is only in the tail and larger Bugs have a lower yield due to their head size. Has a medium-strong flavour (more ‘fishy’ than Moreton Bay Bugs), low oiliness and dry, firm flesh. To remove meat from shells, either split Bug lengthwise, or, to keep meat in one piece, remove head, turn tail over and cut down either side of the tail using kitchen scissors, peel underside of tail back and remove meat. Do not recook cooked Bugs, eat cold in salads or with a dipping sauce. The most humane, and easiest, method of killing any crustacean is to chill it in the freezer for about 45 minutes until it becomes insensible (but not long enough to freeze it). Once chilled, it should be killed promptly by splitting in half or dropping into rapidly boiling water. See
www.rspca.org.au/policy/PostionG3.2.pdf for more details.
Cooking Methods
Steam, poach, deep-fry, pan-fry, stir-fry, grill, barbecue. Excellent cold as part of a seafood platter. To BBQ, cut in half lengthwise and cook in the shell. The firm flesh holds together well in soups, curries and casseroles and can be cubed for kebabs.
Goes Well With
Citrus, fresh herbs (dill, basil, chervil, parsley, French tarragon), garlic, ginger, green vegetables (asparagus, snowpeas, baby beans), mayonnaise, vinaigrette.
Alternatives
Marron, Moreton Bay Bugs, Redclaw, Prawns, Yabby.
Imports
Various Ibacus species are occasionally imported from Asia, usually as frozen tails.
Recipes