lobster in a FOWLR?

[jelwyoming]

I have a predator tank that I have just set up...been maturing for months. I have a 3" dwarf fuzzy lionfish, a harliquin tusk fish and a small snowflake eel. Will any of these guys bother a large blue reef lobster? Or is it just a matter of time? Any one successful in keeping any inverts with the tusk fish? This guy is even eating the feeder fish that I put in for the lionfish!

 

[sean48183]

Yeah I keep 2 big hermits with and snowflake and a lunar wrasse. The eel fights with my eel over peices of food with the eel climbing right into the hermits big shell. Usually the eel comes out with the food but also some damage to his face. The lobster will be fine. He comes with pretty good defense. Keep your tusk well fed though because desperate times call for desperate measures.

 

[LisaD]

I don't think you can assume the lobster will be safe from the tusk, or the eel, once it grows up. Hermits have more protection than a lobster. I keep large hermits I caught at the beach with my eels and tusk, but I don't think any other crustacean would survive in that tank.

 

[jelwyoming]

Thanks, that is kind of what I had thought. I don't see many of the larger hermits available on line though.

 

[LisaD]

I'd ask a LFS to order for you, or call one of the Florida collectors (like reeftopia) and ask if they'd special collect some for you.

 

[agreeive?fish]

personally i think the lobster will be lunch one day for that tank.

 

[jelwyoming]

I think your probably right. I saw a purple reef lobster the other day in a friend's tank that was nearly 6". I couldn't imagine that tusk tearing him up, but I am wrong with this stuff a lot!
The lionfish isn't adapting to frozen too well yet. I am trying the silversides. Most of the problem with that is the eel or the tusk grab it first. The tusk is a sleepyhead though, so I just need to wait util he goes into his cave for the night, then I add rosies or white shrimp (until he takes the frozen).

 

[LisaD]

you could be right that the lobster would be safe, but I'd also be worried about the lobster harassing a sleeping fish. just doesn't seem to be a good idea to me...

 

[jelwyoming]

I am sure that your right. Why risk a 200.00 fish for a 15.00 lobster.

 

[hayes112]

I keept a spiney lobster in my Fowlr with a large puffer , black durgeon trigger, lunar wrasse, and a AussieTusk and he did fine . The puffer tried for him once but the antenna on the lobster fought him off fine...that was the only time anyone tried to get him. The down side is spiney lobsters like the blue one get huge, I had mine in a 150 it became cramped in about 8 months. I bought the lobster at 3-4inches and it was a around 9 inches body only and 12-14+ inches of antenna. It took forever to find a home for him becuase most hobbiest cant support a lobster that size but it was cool while I had. And yes like LisaD said if you have fish that are small watch out for them gettn eatn at night.

 

[jelwyoming]

There is only 3 fish in the tank, the smallest being the 3" lionfish. That is why I was considering the smaller reef lobster. The tusk is about 5". The snowflake eel is 12".

 

[spamin76]

It is a tough balance - lobsters may actually eat small fish if they can catch them, but some large fish may eat even a large lobster, or at least nibble on him.

Cool creatures, but finding the right tank mates on both ends of the spectrum is not an easy task.

 

[sean48183]

Lobsters are relatively slow compared to fish so I doubt they will catch them. I heard the same thing about my Huge hermits but they have no chance with fish although they do sit there with there claws hanging out sometimes hoping a fish will run into them. As for the fish eating him nothing is for sure in this hobby but I think it would be unlikely.

 

[jelwyoming]

I wouldn't be worried about him getting any fish except the lion. He is pretty slow.
The Tusk is like a dog. He has a cave with a sand bottom that he lays down in. When I put food in the tank, he dashes out for it and brings it back to his cave...out for more a few minutes later.
A crab or lobster might try for him when he's sleeping. He is pretty big though.