Astacus marinus; Print; Homarus gammarus; known as the European lobster or common lobster; is a species of clawed lobster from the eastern Atlantic Ocean; Mediterranean Sea and parts of the Black Sea. It is closely related to the American lobster; H. americanus. It may grow to a length of 60 cm (24 in) and a mass of 6 kilograms (13 lb); and bears a conspicuous pair of claws. In life the lobsters are blue; only becoming "lobster red" on cooking. Mating occurs in the summer; producing eggs which are carried by the females for up to a year before hatching into planktonic larvae. Homarus gammarus is a highly esteemed food; and is widely caught using lobster pots; mostly around the British Isles.