Dwarf Lobster

[dandydan]

Hi,
Any one any comments on why or why not have a dwarf Lobster in a reef tank??

Certainly not much except a vague feeling they may not be a good addition.

Thanks

[Blown 346]

They will eat what they can catch including snails, crabs, fish, maybe even corals.

[RicksReefs]

and you'll hardly ever see it.

[dandydan]

Thanks,
Like an idiot I have put one in,
and now when its too late I try to find out if it will be OK.

Ahh well out with the Trap again, I wish I could sue my lfs

[starseed]

I wish I could sue my lfs

Since you've been here since September, you probably know that many LFSs will say anything to get you to buy.

Now knowing that, do your homework before buying anything (I know how hard that is though ;) )

Buyer beware!

[dandydan]

Ahh but I have an excuse,

Im not just a fool but an old fool.

The last I saw of him he was a real nice colour, as he shot into the rocks never to be seen again I suppose.

[guitar_lord]

I have as purple Reef lobster... It is reef safe
Doesnt eat fish or corals and I feed it by hand....
comes right up and takes the food.
He hangs out in a cave at the front of my tank so I can see him all the time

[RicksReefs]

I've lost mandarins and other rock huggers to them. corals are ok though.

[dandydan]

Thanks,
Maybe if I can find him and hand feed him, it may change his bad atitude, he is purple as well, roll call this morning every body else was still present.

[davocean]

I had one a long time ago b4 I had corals.
He was awsome at first.
All my neighbors loved to watch me feed him little chunks of anchovie.
He'd do this little happy dance running back and forth till he found
the food.
As he got bigger he tore up everything!
My neighbor used to dry out his shells after shedding and spray with clear paint.
You might want to do that so you can remember him when you evict the little tank wrecker!!

[Paul79936]

They supposedly get destructive as they get bigger. On the other hand, they are much better with drawn butter than aptasia or mantis shrimp.

[davocean]

LOL!
Yeah, I do have one tank dedicated to lobys.
A 30 gal. trash can w/ a powerhead.
Gets real full after 2 or 3 night dives.
Neighbors get real friendly too!

[dandydan]

Well,
you have all done me proud,
now ive made my mind up to make him a model reefizen, if I ever see him again that is.
By the way I was told he would not grow bigger than 3.5" which is what he is at the mo.
I think im looking for a ray of hope.

[davocean]

Don't mean to sound like I'm knocking you personally, just fair warning since you did ask for comments.
I LOVED my purple loby for quite a while, and I always had a good crowd to watch him at feeding time.
Try anchovie chunks, mine loved em and came out loud and proud
He was about 4-4 1/2 inches when i got rid of him.
Not sure if he was done growing.
Just got tired of coming home everyday to a thrashed tank.
I shiver at the thought of what he'd do to my corals.
Best of luck.

[dandydan]

Well, I still have not seen him,
but I'm keeping food handy in case he shows up, Ill try the anchovies.

[davocean]

Cut a small chunk and drop it in.
The second it hit the water mine came running out.
The smell must be overwhelming because mine ran back and forth
frantically.
When he found it he pounced like a cat on a mouse.
He soon lost his shyness