Blue Clawed Lobsters !

[matt20687]

Hey

I have got two blue clawed lobsters today. They are about 2 inches big and obviously are still babys.

Does anyone know how to sex them?

Cheers

Matt

 

[eskcarr]

Hey

I have got two blue clawed lobsters today. They are about 2 inches big and obviously are still babys.

Does anyone know how to sex them?

Cheers

Matt

On the underbelly of the tail of the lobster there are those tiny swimming type fins/scales whatever you call them. Icould have this mixed up but I beleive the females has an extra tiny set of them closest to the body but still on the under of the tail. MaybeIam backwards I'll have to check with my wife on thison she is the lobster pro.

However it is difficult to check for this unless you take them out of the water and hold them upside down. If you do this I sugggest you do it as quick as posible.
Good luck

ESKCarr

 

[matt20687]

o rite thats useful to know! but were they are so small i dont think you would be able to hold them on their back!

At what age can you sex them? We have been told the males have orange bits on their claws when they are bigger and females are just blue ! is this true ?

thanks

 

[SMAUG]

i often go fishing for rock lobster of an island near here.
i beleive that decapods are all pretty similar in anatomy.

females have a second set of "legs" under their swimerets.
it will be harder to see when they are small.
as most female lobsters grow. these little "legs" get hairy.
the purpose of these it to hold eggs as they mature.

not sure if its a local thing, but the male lobsters here have a very extra claw on the two rear main legs.
used to hold the female while ferilising i beleive.

i don't think this will be easy to see on such small animals.
goodluck!

-Tom

 

[rdd1952]

What else do you have in the tank with them? They are not good tankmates for small community fish. They will catch and kill any fish that gets close enough to them, especially at night when the lights are out.

 

[matt20687]

i bought a new 60 Litre tank for them .

So currently they are on their own in there. I would like to breed them if possible but obviously helps if i know what sex they are !

What fish do you lot recommend with them ?

i was thinking of a Blue Dolphin Chichlid. I see you can get them 3 - 4 cm do they stay this size or does it just mean you get it when it is a baby ?

cheers
matt

 

[eskcarr]

i often go fishing for rock lobster of an island near here.
i beleive that decapods are all pretty similar in anatomy.

females have a second set of "legs" under their swimerets.
it will be harder to see when they are small.
as most female lobsters grow. these little "legs" get hairy.
the purpose of these it to hold eggs as they mature.

not sure if its a local thing, but the male lobsters here have a very extra claw on the two rear main legs.
used to hold the female while ferilising i beleive.

i don't think this will be easy to see on such small animals.
goodluck!

-Tom

That was what I was hitting at that extra set of (legs or swimmers under that tail) I'm from New Hampshire and have a lot of experience with Maine lobsters I believe they afre all similar in anatomy. Even if the fish is small if you can hold them upside down out of water for aminute it won;t hurt them. look to see if one has one more set of tiny legs right near the swimerets and if it does its the female if they both look the same you won't know if they are either male or female untill they get older. Like the last person said when they get older hair like things form on these legs of the females tohold onto their eggs.

well good luck and tell me about how hard or easy it is to keep these beutiful creatures

ESKCarr

 

[matt20687]

i feel like i am gonna crush them they only just over 2" long! I think i will try to have a look though and just be a bit carefull!

I will get back to you lot to tell you how i get on!

With any luck i got one of each !!!

cheers again

matt

 

[rdd1952]

I wouldn't put anything in the tank with them that isn't at least 3" long. Even that may not be big enough.

 

[matt20687]

I have been told that the lobsters grow up to 7" long! Cant wait till they do! Do u know if they take long to grow to a full size?

cheers
matt

 

[matt20687]

just had a look and they both look the same! cldnt see any more or any less legs at all! i dont know how old they are is there a age to wait till ?