Any of you have a purple lobster?

king_neptune

king_neptune

Active Member
I just got one today for $20. Guy walked into the LFS as I was walking out...he had one in a cooler that he had just plucked out 20 min prior. It was very healthy looking, and pretty big. Pinchy was getting too big for his 14g nano, so he was going to be sold back to the LFS. I intercepted(with the blessings of the store owner of course), and walked out the door with a pretty nice lobster for $20.
Hes already in my 125.
The peppermints came out of hiding to greet him, and they all went under the rocks together. Last I saw, he was picking away in the sand for food. Score!
Ive heard both ways with these lobsters. What say you?
 
rlablan

rlablan

Active Member
I really wanted one, but was told my a lot of people on SWF and a lot of people in person have told me that they get large and WILL eat your fish, no matter how big. They are nocturnal and catch fish when they are most vulnerable. Your tank certainly seems large enough but I am not so sure that your fish will be fast enough.
I guess since it's already in the tank, then try it out? See how it goes, other wise, you will need a lobster trap.
 
xcali1985

xcali1985

Active Member
Careful monitor him so and yank him if he becomes a predator. Soon or later chances are you are going to be missing fish and those shrimp won't Stan a chance. Lobsters usually grab on to a fish and with those claws there is very little chance for them.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
I had one come as a hitchhiker and within five minutes of getting in the tank, he ate my mandarin. I personally know quite a few people that have lost fish due to these little monsters. They're pretty, but just not worth the risk.
 
mrdc

mrdc

Active Member
Everyone that I know who has gotten one never got to see it because it would never come out. They can get huge too. I worry about my sally lightfoot becoming aggresive when it matures.
 
ryancw01

ryancw01

Member
I got one as a hitchiker before and it sucked. I just hated having to feed meat chunks and increasing waste for something that never came out. I lucked out and could stick the prong in one spot and it could come grab it, but I only ever got to see it's claw grab the food. They need to eat meat twice a week at least so you will have your work cut out for you so they do not start clipping your fish.
Maybe yours will be more out going though and come out of hiding though. I know they are really shy for the most part.
 
kingsmith

kingsmith

Member
I built I cave for my Lobster right against the glass of the tank so that it would be constantly visible but the hard part is trying to make it so he doesn't have anyother spot he prefers.
 
tank a holic

tank a holic

Active Member
mine's good but i keep him well fed.. if you got much rockwork you'll hardly see it
only time i see mine is when i look specifically in his hiding spot
 
kraylen

kraylen

Member
I would pull that thing out while you still have a chance. Purple Reef Lobsters in NO WAY belong in a reef tank.
 
reefaholic33

reefaholic33

Member
Originally Posted by Kraylen
http:///forum/post/3230082
I would pull that thing out while you still have a chance. Purple Reef Lobsters in NO WAY belong in a reef tank.
I learned this the hard way when I first started this hobby. I'm not even sure I would put one in a Fish Only tank. Mine ate a bunch of firefish and a bottow dwelling goby. These fish appeared healthy the night before and I woke up and there would be half a fish left in his claw(which was the only part of him I ever saw) Had to pull apart half my rocks to catch him. Just my experience.
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
Originally Posted by reefaholic33
http:///forum/post/3230120
I learned this the hard way when I first started this hobby. I'm not even sure I would put one in a Fish Only tank. Mine ate a bunch of firefish and a bottow dwelling goby. These fish appeared healthy the night before and I woke up and there would be half a fish left in his claw(which was the only part of him I ever saw) Had to pull apart half my rocks to catch him. Just my experience.
I basically experienced the same thing. They are not easy to catch either.
 
king_neptune

king_neptune

Active Member
Originally Posted by Noah's Nemo
http:///forum/post/3230058
You should have QT'ed him

haha, ya. ^_^
But truth all my fish are already in a 55g hospital tank for about 6 more weeks. Ill introduce them a few at a time. Ill put in the cromis first, and work my way up from there. So technically the lobster is in QT for some time.
Originally Posted by tank a holic
http:///forum/post/3230077
mine's good but i keep him well fed.. if you got much rockwork you'll hardly see it
only time i see mine is when i look specifically in his hiding spot
I got about 50lbs up top. So its not a whole lot. He chose a great spot under the foam wall. A sort of cave is made out of the underside of one of the pieces. Its private, yet gives me a lit enough area that I can see them all clearly any time.
The two peppermints came out to see who was new, and they all three gathered for a few seconds, then retreated together and began digging round in the sand. Ill do a meat cube session couple times a week, just out side his den just the same.
The more exotic fish tend to sleep up on the back of the foam wall. If this lobster becomes a problem, I learned about it early in the hobby, and the moving or rockwork at this stage has minimal impact on things.Same with any need to trap.
Do they get big enough to eat? I don't want to waste it is all.
 
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