What's the word on these purple lobsters and red lobsters swf.com sells?

[hairtrigger]

Are they one of those things listed as reef safe, but can harm things?
Or are they completely reef safe?
Will they mess up a DSB?
Does anyone have any of these things that can offer some testimony? Woooooo. Thanks!

 

[yosemite sam]

I have one in the 125 (I think!). I never see it except when I shine my flashlight in the tank to look for it at night. The most I ever see is a flash of a claw or an antenna. It never, ever comes out. If I could catch the thing, I'd take it back to the LFS where I bought it. I don't think it's hurting anything in the tank, but if you have a big tank with lots of lr, it's not the most captivating thing you can add.

 

[steve40]

Here is some info that I had found a while back on them. I have no personal testimony, but if you do a search for purple lobsters on this site I think this sums it up.
Lobsters are opportunistic feeders, that will eat everything and anything they can get ahold of. That includes inverts, fish, algae, etc. And they grow rather quickly.
If you do get one, be sure to keep it well fed
I know that the books say some lobsters have been successfully kept in tanks with fish, but unless you're very careful to keep it well fed, I wouldn't trust one. They are opportunistic feeders and any slow moving fish (like clownfish) or bottom swimming fish can be considered dinner eventually. It might not happen right away, but give him time to grow and you might have problems.
They also will dig out a home in the tank so make sure your rockwork is stable. They come out mainly at night so target feeding and keeping track of them can be inconvenient. If you do get it you may not see if for long periods of time because they do hide a mojority of the time.

 

[hairtrigger]

Hmmm, compared with yosemite's one that never comes out, and steve's info, I don't know if they're worth it. I think I will refrain. Thanks yall.

 

[scarybo]

If I didnt see the molt periodically I wouldnt know I have one. The last time I saw it up close was in my LFS. Beautiful creatures, mine has never touched anything

 

[phoenixrising]

I've had a purple lobster in my 90 reef for over a year and have only seen him a few times. And then only when I am searching in the wee hours of the morning with a flashlight. He is incredibly beautiful though with purple, orange, gold and red. He has not grown much at all since his arrival in my tank and I am told that these particular lobsters do not get very big. I can also say that I have never had a fish, invert or anything else turn up missing. Maybe I've just been lucky so far?

 

[scotts]

HT,
It is 4 months BC (Before crash). In the BC days I went heavily with emerald crads and assorted shrimps. Let me tell you it is a sad site to see your $3 shrimp eating you $20 clowfish. This time around I am going a lot lighter on these types of animals and focusing more on the fish. However I did just get a clean up crew of hermit crabs and have noticed a big difference in the cleanliness of the tank.
BTW the crash was caused by one of the shrimp getting in the carpet anenome and killing it. Rather nasty. My tank had a 9/11 on 9/11.
Scott

 

[rane]

if its anything to anyone I had a red/purple lobster whihc was beautiful and it ate my Snowflake Eel the Eel was like 14inches and I saw it with it in its mouth half way by then it was too late
but then again thats my .02cents

 

[hairtrigger]

Wow, there are such mixed opinions on these things. They seem so pretty and nice, but have the potential to be real monsters. Scott, sorry man. Crashes are never fun. Ugh, I know how po'd you must have been. After all, you even mark the date BC, haha. Good luck with the new system man.

 

[scotts]

Thanks HT,
I know that you are very busy right now so we will not hear from you for a while. BTW. Great coverage. As soon as we saw the breaking news come up on the TV I immediately switched to CNN.
Scott