WASHIGNTON — Toby, the rare blue lobster caught off the coast of Maryland last month, went on exhibit at National Aquarium, Washington, D.C. on Wednesday.
Toby’s particular blue hue is said to be a 1-in-2-million exception to the reddish-brown shade of most lobsters. This unique color is a genetic variation that is caused by the lobster producing an excessive amount of a particular protein.
John Gourley and his team aboard the fishing boat, the Pot Luck, caught Toby off the coast of Maryland near Ocean City in June. The lobster had been staying in Martin’s Fish Co.’s lobster tank prior to being donated to the National Aquarium on June 19. Toby was not immediately placed on exhibit due to standard precautionary measures regarding the safety of a new species.
Toby has been placed in the recently renovated Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuaries exhibit, which currently houses three black sea bass and one tautog, according to aquarium officials.
