Thoughts on a purple mini lobster

[snarkes]

I was at my LFS yesterday and they had some mini purple lobsters, the guys are so colorful, I'd really like to add one to the tank. It may be a problem though as I've got a hi-fin red banded shrimp goby that stays on the sand bed near the rocks. I'm sure the lobsters are opportunistic like the crabs, but wondered if they were just a bad idea all together. I've got a 55 with about 80-90 lbs live rock and some various corals (xenias, zoos, mushrooms, and a colt).

 

[Jeremy Blaze]

I'd bet the goby would be food in no time.

 

[Blown 346]

I agree as well as any thing else the lobster can catch.

 

[snarkes]

yeah thats what I figured... oh well.

 

[boomsticks]

Don't let them shoot you down! Purple Lobsters are great for eating the rest of the crap that the fish don't eat. Unless they are really hungry will they rarely go after fish. Usually it is a bottom-dwelling fish (i.e) yours...lol...but I wouldn't sweat it. I have had Vigo (Purple Lobster) for about three months now. You hardly ever see them in the day unless you feed them clam meat they go crazy for that stuff! Vigo is very peaceful he has however got into some territory spats with snails for some reason...beats me...anyway it's your call but I think you'll be fine whichever way you go.

Happy Reefin'

Mike

 

[spoiledcats]

I have had Vigo (Purple Lobster) for about three months now. You hardly ever see them in the day unless you feed them clam meat they go crazy for that stuff!

So does that mean if you have clams in your tank, it will eat them?

 

[snarkes]

Bummer... I'd like to see him during the day. Really colorful invert. Will he get into it with cleaner shrimp? I take it that really shouldnt be much of a problem given the lobster staying on the bottom... but who knows.

 

[smleee]

I have one, he hides in a large cave (about the size of a tennis ball) that tunnels out to the back. He does come out a touch when feeding, but you can shine a flashlight in there at anytime and see him. If small fish or shrimp disappear (I've seen a cleaner shrimp dart quickly away from the edge of the cave a couple times), I don't doubt that he took them out. He is a mean and pretty looking sucker! Enjoy if you want, but don't blame him when things go missing.

eee

 

[snarkes]

Yeah... I would like to, but cant see a good reason to put my fish at risk just to put him in there. Oh well, thanks for all your input.

 

[njb2345]

I have one in my reef tank and last night i saw him kill my cleaner shrimp and eat him. I wish i could get him out.

Damn 20 dollar mindnight snack.

Also i have had him for about 1 year now.

 

[snarkes]

Yeah and in my case that would be a $40 midnight snack... worth two times the lobster.

 

[njb2345]

tell me about it, i was a little mad last night...

I just don't know how i am going to get him out.

 

[snarkes]

hmmm... try the water bottle method... put some clam meat in a water bottle, cut the top off and invert it back into the bottle so it acts like a funnel and put it infront of his cave.

 

[njb2345]

will do.... thank for the idea

 

[jimbo045]

I did have one for awhile, then it started eating the fish so I took it out. JD