Anyone had a pet lobster? Is it humane to have one and what do you do with it?
A quick Google would suggest theyre space needing mostly solitary animals. They need at least a 50-gallon tank because they eat everything in it, fight with each other, and can live until they’re 100 years old. This might be just what youre after but think wisely.
No, not a pet. A delicious tasty thing, on a plate, lightly poached with a fucktonne of butter
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Gérard de Nerval, a French poet who lived from 1808 to 1855, made his friends happy one afternoon by walking through the Palais-Royal gardens with a lobster on a blue ribbon leash. “He does not bark,” Nerval declared, “and he knows the secrets of the deep. ”.
I genuinely thought I’d mis-read the thread title But why not I suppose. As long as you give it the space and conditions it needs to live a stress-free life and don’t cook it.
A friend of mine had a pet lobster for many years. One morning she came downstairs and found it walking around her living room!.
@avamiahWhat ?? Lobsters aren’t pets. Is this post real? I doubt it . It is real. I don’t have a lobster as a pet and I don’t plan to get one. I know someone who has recently bought one from a pet shop and could hardly believe it.
@marthastewA friend of mine had a pet lobster for many years. It walked around her living room one morning when she came downstairs. Oh no, that sounds like the stuff of nightmares.
A marine lobster – no. As pets, you can get a lot of freshwater shrimp or a crayfish (but only one kind is legal in the UK for aquarium trade). When I was younger, I had Amano Shrimp, Rili Cherry Shrimp, Orange Cherry Shrimp, and Crystal Red Shrimp. Now I only have two of them. Cherry Shrimp are a good “starter” shrimp, but they need a good tank that has been fully cycled and is at least 30 liters in size. They also love live plants. They are very small, will breed, and are brightly colored. However, don’t mix the different color types together, or the babies will probably turn back to wilder, duller colors.
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Lobsters are delicious seafood but can you actually keep them as pets? While not as common as a dog or cat some aquarists enjoy the challenge of raising lobsters. Here’s a complete guide to determining if a lobster could be the right unusual companion for you.
Overview of Keeping Lobsters as Pets
Lobsters are not your typical pet. However, some unique aquarists decide to care for lobsters instead of more traditional freshwater fish. Reasons why include:
- Fascination with their appearance and behaviors
- Enjoying the challenge
- Wanting a more interactive pet
- Building a saltwater aquarium anyways
Lobsters need large tanks with specific temperature, pH, salinity, and supplements Only certain breeds adapt well to captivity. They’re aggressive toward their own kind but can potentially live with some fish. Overall, lobsters require an experienced aquarist ready to meet their needs
Good Lobster Breeds for Beginner Aquarists
Not all lobsters adapt well to home aquariums. Good options for beginners include:
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Crinoid Squat Lobster – A tiny lobster growing to 2 inches. Peaceful and easygoing.
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Blue Spiny Lobster – Also called painted crayfish. Has blue-green coloration. Gets along with most fish.
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Red Hawaiian Reef Lobster – Bright red with white spots Needs plenty of space and substrate to burrow
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Debelius Reef Lobster – Lavender body with bright orange spotting. Aggressive toward its own species.
Avoid American lobsters and spiny lobsters, which get very large. Select breeds that stay under 6 inches for home aquariums.
Housing Requirements
Lobsters need the following tank conditions:
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Minimum 29 gallon tank – Bigger is better. Allows space for hiding spots.
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74-80°F temperature – Use an aquarium heater and thermometer.
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pH 8.1-8.4 – Test water conditions regularly.
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1.023-1.025 specific gravity – Use a refractometer to monitor salinity.
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Moderate to strong water circulation – Varies by breed.
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Rocks, caves, substrate – Provides hiding and burrowing enrichment.
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Protein skimmer, strong filtration – Keeps water clean.
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Aquarium salt, supplements – Follow individual breed requirements.
Proper setup is crucial since copper medications can harm lobsters. Invest in aquarium essentials before purchasing your pet lobster.
Potential Tank Mates
Most lobster species are aggressive toward their own kind. Usually, one lobster per tank is ideal. Some compatible fish may include:
- Angelfish
- Clownfish
- Certain triggerfish
- Rabbitfish
- Basslets
- Damselfish
Avoid placing lobsters with species they may view as food, like crabs, shrimp, snails, and octopuses. Always research compatibility before selecting tank mates.
Feeding Your Pet Lobster
In the wild, lobsters are scavengers eating things like mussels, clams, urchins, and crabs. In captivity offer:
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Meaty frozen foods like krill, shrimp, squid, silversides, mysis, and marine fish.
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Live foods (if you can source them) such as fiddler crabs, ghost shrimp, mussels, and clams.
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Sinking carnivore pellets made for saltwater crustaceans.
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Aquarium-safe seaweed and vegetables for fiber.
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Calcium, magnesium, and iodine supplements if needed.
Feed thawed frozen and freeze-dried foods. Live foods should only be offered occasionally as treats. Remove uneaten food to maintain water quality.
Lobster Handling and Interaction
Lobsters have powerful claws, so handling should be minimal. Use thick gloves if reaching into the tank is required. Scoop them gently with a net vs. grabbing.
Don’t expect them to be interactive pets. Lobsters mainly hide during daylight hours emerging at night to roam and forage. You’ll primarily observe their behaviors vs. direct interaction.
Lobster Lifespan and Size
Lobsters can potentially live 20+ years in captivity. However, 10-15 years is more typical.
Their size depends on the breed. Small breeds like Crinoid Squat Lobsters reach around 2 inches. Spiny and Hawaiian lobsters may grow up to 5-6 inches in a home aquarium.
Are Lobsters Suitable Beginner Pets?
For brand new aquarists, lobsters are generally not ideal first pets. Their specific care, housing, diet, and handling require some prior experience. Intermediate to advanced aquarists will have better success and enjoyment.
If you’re committed to lobsters as a beginner, be prepared to spend several months researching and setting up the tank before purchasing your pet. Expect to invest significant time and money into properly caring for them.
Finding a Pet Lobster for Sale
Check with local fish stores to see if they can special order pet-quality lobsters. Online sources include:
- LiveAquaria.com
- ThatPetPlace.com
- Saltwaterfish.com
- UniqueCorals.com
Avoid removing lobsters from the wild unless you legally harvest one yourself. Most pet trade lobsters are captive bred.
While unconventional, some aquarists find raising lobsters rewarding. They are fascinating to observe using their antennas, claws, and eyestalks. By providing a well-researched habitat, you can potentially keep certain breeds of pet lobsters for over a decade. Just be prepared for their specialized needs compared to freshwater tropical fish.
Keeping A Grocery Store Lobster As A Pet
Can you get a pet lobster?
If you are thinking of getting pet lobsters, first be sure you have the space for their tank setups. Lobsters are rarely cannibalistic in the wild, according to the Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library’s page on the American lobster. Only in captivity has this behavior been observed regularly.
Can you keep Red Lobsters as pets?
With a pretty shallow pond that contains only a small amount of substrate to burrow in, you can keep red lobsters as pets. The tank set-up should provide adequate room because these little crustaceans are very territorial. According to Drs. Foster and Smith, try to aim for 40 gallons per red lobster to reduce fights and possible cannibalism.
How to keep a lobster as a pet?
There’s a lot you will need to learn first. The most common type that is kept is the electric blue lobster. You will need a lot of room in the tank because of their territorial nature. You can get algae pellets, dried nori, and even mussels to feed the lobster. Why choose a lobster as a pet? 1. Red Lobster 2. Spiny Lobster 3.
Are lobster pets worth it?
Lobster pets are unusual but can be a quirky and fun addition to your life. Learning to care for their aquarium does require research and careful attention at first, but over time it will become routine and easy. Besides, the ambiance your pet’s aquarium will bring to your home will make it worth it.