lobster in my reef?

Netofficer3710 · 06/05/2011, 08:05 PM

I will be placing an order with liveaquaria later tonight. I will be ordering rock for my new 125 Gal fowlr and possibly some new corals and inverts for my reef.
I have decided I want a blue spiny lobster in the new tank so I am considering getting a small 1-2" one tonight and keeping him in my reef while the new tank cycles.
Do you guys think I will regret putting him in there?
I am fairly confident he will play nice at that size.
_,,_

zach_24_90 · 06/05/2011, 08:07 PM

depending on how big he is you can put him in a small hamster ball and he wont bother anything haha do it all the time

Angel*Fish · 06/05/2011, 08:24 PM

It will be fine as long as you don't care if it eats snails, hemits or fish. Like many other marine animals, they start out small and grow bigger.

Netofficer3710 · 06/05/2011, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angel*Fish

It will be fine as long as you don't care if it eats snails, hemits or fish. Like many other marine animals, they start out small and grow bigger.

Well he won't be in there for more than a month or 2 at most. Do you really think he can do that much harm to my inverts at 1 or 2 inches long if I keep him full?

Ben34105 · 06/05/2011, 10:32 PM

I have a small, red lobster in my 150g. I can't remember it's official name. He's about 5 inches long. Never bothered a thing. He comes out of his borrow and runs to catch any shrimp that hits the sand during feedings. I also give him pieces of scallops with a feeding stick. He's a model citizen in my tank.

I looked at the blue ones, but they get way too big for my set up.

Netofficer3710 · 06/05/2011, 10:46 PM

My real worry is that I wont be able to catch him when it is time to move him to the new tank. I ordered him though
I also ordered a new scarlet hermit to keep the one in my tank company, a blue tuxedo urchin, and 90 lbs of fiji standard live rock

Netofficer3710 · 06/05/2011, 10:48 PM

.oops

Angel*Fish · 06/06/2011, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben34105

I have a small, red lobster in my 150g. I can't remember it's official name. He's about 5 inches long. Never bothered a thing. He comes out of his borrow and runs to catch any shrimp that hits the sand during feedings. I also give him pieces of scallops with a feeding stick. He's a model citizen in my tank.

I looked at the blue ones, but they get way too big for my set up.

They get too big for everyone's set up

davocean · 06/06/2011, 09:38 AM

It probably won't be an issue that small for that short of time, but I think I would keep it in a critter keeper or container of some kind.
That way it won't do any damage and easy to pull.
I had a couple of those guys years ago, they grow pretty fast, and they tear things up, would not have one in a reef tank long term for sure.

Netofficer3710 · 06/06/2011, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davocean

It probably won't be an issue that small for that short of time, but I think I would keep it in a critter keeper or container of some kind.
That way it won't do any damage and easy to pull.
I had a couple of those guys years ago, they grow pretty fast, and they tear things up, would not have one in a reef tank long term for sure.

do you think he would be easy to lure into a fish trap?

lordofthereef · 06/06/2011, 04:22 PM

I am confused about why you are ordering this now for a tank down the road. Why not wait until the new tank is set up and get it then?

Angel*Fish · 06/06/2011, 04:35 PM

Shipping costs, I imagine

I think putting in a specimen container is a great idea.

Netofficer3710 · 06/08/2011, 02:10 AM

got him!

thebkramer · 06/08/2011, 05:50 AM

Cool Little Bugger!!

I just read the description of him on http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...546&pcatid=546
Looks like he should be a fun addition to your tank.. and a model citizen!!!
Enjoy!!!

1ft 2in!! I hope you'll have enough room for him!

Angel*Fish · 06/08/2011, 07:10 AM

Is LA where everybody gets their info now? Good way to set yourself up for failure. I saw a mod the other day bragging on LA for their accurate tanks sizes and was stunned. Since when is 30g for a mandarin a good recommendation? They have a good size recommendation for Singapore angels, then absurd sizes for bicolors. The info on that site is hit and miss, sort of like Russian roulette.

Buy from them, yes, they have reliably healthy live stock. But please, people don't get your info from suppliers - it's a conflict of interest.

To the OP are you planing to eat this animal eventually?

jamest0o0 · 06/08/2011, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angel*Fish

Is LA where everybody gets their info now? Good way to set yourself up for failure. I saw a mod the other day bragging on LA for their accurate tanks sizes and was stunned. Since when is 30g for a mandarin a good recommendation? They have a good size recommendation for Singapore angels, then absurd sizes for bicolors. The info on that site is hit and miss, sort of like Russian roulette.

Buy from them, yes, they have reliably healthy live stock. But please, people don't get your info from suppliers - it's a conflict of interest.

To the OP are you planing to eat this animal eventually?

agreed, but as far as mandarins go if you have a well established fuge I think a 30g would be possible

Angel*Fish · 06/08/2011, 12:30 PM

thebkramer, I'm sorry my post was so gruff. It's just that it seems like I can't log on to RC without someone posting a link using LA as reference material.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamest0o0

agreed, but as far as mandarins go if you have a well established fuge I think a 30g would be possible

It does say their care level is difficult. So, I concede on that point.

Again I have no problem with LA. They are a fabulous supplier. It just makes me uncomfortable seeing them cited as a reference.

kingfisherflesh · 06/08/2011, 12:43 PM

I love these lobsters...cant tell you how many times I have almost bought one, especially when I was in the DD and saw that they had four at one time. I wanted one like you wouldnt believe.

Unless you have a huge tank, and dont mind losing livestock, I wouldnt recommend this guy. He is at the very least going to be knocking stuff over when he gets larger.

That being said, awesome lobster. Wonder what he would taste like.

Netofficer3710 · 06/08/2011, 02:59 PM

he is going in a 125 FOWLRAL (fish only with live rock... and lobster) with larger fish such as an emperor angel (have not thought much further than that on the livestock yet.)

when he gets larger I figured he will be worth too much money to eat.

he is playing nice for now in the reef considering he is the same size as my smallest shrimp (not counting the massive antenna)

I am about to begin looking to see what other large inverts he could be housed with that will be safe in a potential predator tank. I am also a bit curious is he could be housed with a reef lobster.

kingfisherflesh · 06/08/2011, 05:18 PM

I think he would be fine with the reef lobster until he became considerably larger.

Good to hear you have an appropriate home...just make sure in your pred tank that fish arent going for the antenas (no spell check sorry)...they would be too much for a trigger to say no to I think.

Keep posting pictures...I want to see this thing grow up to be a monster.

thebkramer · 06/08/2011, 05:49 PM

NO WORRIES!!

Netofficer3710 · 06/08/2011, 07:35 PM

would urchins be ok with this guy when he gets larger?

I would like to get a few for the new tank assuming my fish will be compatible

Stomkat · 06/08/2011, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingfisherflesh

He is at the very least going to be knocking stuff over when he gets larger.

Teach him to knock over a bank so you can get more tanks!!!

That thing is pretty nice looking

06/05/2011, 08:05 PM	#1
Netofficer3710 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 465	lobster in my reef? I will be placing an order with liveaquaria later tonight. I will be ordering rock for my new 125 Gal fowlr and possibly some new corals and inverts for my reef. I have decided I want a blue spiny lobster in the new tank so I am considering getting a small 1-2" one tonight and keeping him in my reef while the new tank cycles. Do you guys think I will regret putting him in there? I am fairly confident he will play nice at that size. _,,_

06/05/2011, 08:24 PM	#3
Angel*Fish cats and large squashes Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 5,951 Blog Entries: 1	It will be fine as long as you don't care if it eats snails, hemits or fish. Like many other marine animals, they start out small and grow bigger. __________________ Marie So long, & thanks for all the fish! __________________________ Current Tank Info: Pairs: flame angels, cherub angels, Red Sea mimic blennies, yellow fin fairy wrasses, clowns, mandarins, blackcap basslets, shrimp gobies, damsels, dispar anthias, yellow clown gobies, threadfin cardinals --- Tanks: 100g reef, 2 x 30g refugiums

06/06/2011, 09:38 AM	#9
davocean Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 14,655	It probably won't be an issue that small for that short of time, but I think I would keep it in a critter keeper or container of some kind. That way it won't do any damage and easy to pull. I had a couple of those guys years ago, they grow pretty fast, and they tear things up, would not have one in a reef tank long term for sure. __________________ There's a fine line between owning your tank and your tank owning you! Current Tank Info: SCA 120g RR Starfire, Tunze silence 1073.02 return, 40g sump w/ fuge, SWC Extreme 160 cone skimmer,Geismann reflexx 4xT5, 2x Panorama Pro LED strips, Vortech MP40QD

06/06/2011, 04:22 PM	#11
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I am confused about why you are ordering this now for a tank down the road. Why not wait until the new tank is set up and get it then? __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

06/06/2011, 04:35 PM	#12
Angel*Fish cats and large squashes Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 5,951 Blog Entries: 1	Shipping costs, I imagine I think putting in a specimen container is a great idea. __________________ Marie So long, & thanks for all the fish! __________________________ Current Tank Info: Pairs: flame angels, cherub angels, Red Sea mimic blennies, yellow fin fairy wrasses, clowns, mandarins, blackcap basslets, shrimp gobies, damsels, dispar anthias, yellow clown gobies, threadfin cardinals --- Tanks: 100g reef, 2 x 30g refugiums

06/05/2011, 08:07 PM	#2
zach_24_90 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 55	depending on how big he is you can put him in a small hamster ball and he wont bother anything haha do it all the time

06/05/2011, 10:32 PM	#5
Ben34105 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 159	I have a small, red lobster in my 150g. I can't remember it's official name. He's about 5 inches long. Never bothered a thing. He comes out of his borrow and runs to catch any shrimp that hits the sand during feedings. I also give him pieces of scallops with a feeding stick. He's a model citizen in my tank. I looked at the blue ones, but they get way too big for my set up.

06/05/2011, 10:46 PM	#6
Netofficer3710 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 465	My real worry is that I wont be able to catch him when it is time to move him to the new tank. I ordered him though I also ordered a new scarlet hermit to keep the one in my tank company, a blue tuxedo urchin, and 90 lbs of fiji standard live rock

06/05/2011, 10:48 PM	#7
Netofficer3710 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 465	.oops

06/08/2011, 02:10 AM	#13
Netofficer3710 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 465	got him!

06/08/2011, 05:50 AM	#14
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	Cool Little Bugger!! I just read the description of him on http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...546&pcatid=546 Looks like he should be a fun addition to your tank.. and a model citizen!!! Enjoy!!! 1ft 2in!! I hope you'll have enough room for him! __________________ Rhonda There is NO such things as Dumb Questions!! There are However.. Dumb Answers!!! ;) ____________ Current Tank Info: 55g reef....Current Orbit SunPaq Lights, HOB Eshopps, HOB AquaClear 110, 2-1400 Koralia Powerheads & 1 Nano Koralia, 40+ lbs LR, 2" LS

06/08/2011, 07:10 AM	#15
Angel*Fish cats and large squashes Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Houston Posts: 5,951 Blog Entries: 1	Is LA where everybody gets their info now? Good way to set yourself up for failure. I saw a mod the other day bragging on LA for their accurate tanks sizes and was stunned. Since when is 30g for a mandarin a good recommendation? They have a good size recommendation for Singapore angels, then absurd sizes for bicolors. The info on that site is hit and miss, sort of like Russian roulette. Buy from them, yes, they have reliably healthy live stock. But please, people don't get your info from suppliers - it's a conflict of interest. To the OP are you planing to eat this animal eventually? __________________ Marie So long, & thanks for all the fish! __________________________ Current Tank Info: Pairs: flame angels, cherub angels, Red Sea mimic blennies, yellow fin fairy wrasses, clowns, mandarins, blackcap basslets, shrimp gobies, damsels, dispar anthias, yellow clown gobies, threadfin cardinals --- Tanks: 100g reef, 2 x 30g refugiums

06/08/2011, 12:43 PM	#18
kingfisherflesh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Central WI Posts: 374	I love these lobsters...cant tell you how many times I have almost bought one, especially when I was in the DD and saw that they had four at one time. I wanted one like you wouldnt believe. Unless you have a huge tank, and dont mind losing livestock, I wouldnt recommend this guy. He is at the very least going to be knocking stuff over when he gets larger. That being said, awesome lobster. Wonder what he would taste like.

06/08/2011, 02:59 PM	#19
Netofficer3710 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 465	he is going in a 125 FOWLRAL (fish only with live rock... and lobster) with larger fish such as an emperor angel (have not thought much further than that on the livestock yet.) when he gets larger I figured he will be worth too much money to eat. he is playing nice for now in the reef considering he is the same size as my smallest shrimp (not counting the massive antenna) I am about to begin looking to see what other large inverts he could be housed with that will be safe in a potential predator tank. I am also a bit curious is he could be housed with a reef lobster.

06/08/2011, 05:18 PM	#20
kingfisherflesh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Central WI Posts: 374	I think he would be fine with the reef lobster until he became considerably larger. Good to hear you have an appropriate home...just make sure in your pred tank that fish arent going for the antenas (no spell check sorry)...they would be too much for a trigger to say no to I think. Keep posting pictures...I want to see this thing grow up to be a monster.

06/08/2011, 05:49 PM	#21
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	NO WORRIES!! __________________ Rhonda There is NO such things as Dumb Questions!! There are However.. Dumb Answers!!! ;) ____________ Current Tank Info: 55g reef....Current Orbit SunPaq Lights, HOB Eshopps, HOB AquaClear 110, 2-1400 Koralia Powerheads & 1 Nano Koralia, 40+ lbs LR, 2" LS

06/08/2011, 07:35 PM	#22
Netofficer3710 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 465	would urchins be ok with this guy when he gets larger? I would like to get a few for the new tank assuming my fish will be compatible

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