Blue Lobster Advice (again!)

[heartworm]

Think I messed up posting this last time I tried, (in the wrong forum) so here goes again:

I have a 300l tank, currently with a Plec, 5 Barbs, and a red tailed shark (around 3inches atm). The tank has been going for 4/5 years now with no real problems but since i got the tank I've always wanted a lobster for the tank. I know they can rather aggressive with tank mates, will I be ok with this combination in my tank?

I know they like to burrow as well as hide in caves, will my sand substrate be ok?,

thanks

 

[Spishkey]

do you have live plants in your tank?

 

[heartworm]

Ive got 3 ( I dont know the name, they are the tall with large leaves on them. I fully expect the blue cray to eat these though. I have bogwood in the tank, a large rock with shelter around the base and another which forms a cave for it to hide in. I also purchased a coconut to make a proper little cave out of telling my g/f its the topping for dessert, I didn't mention its a useful addition to the tan.

 

[Spishkey]

i cant really see any reason why you couldnt have one in there? (as long as you dont mind losing the plants!)
i have two adult and two juvi redclaws in a a similar sized tank, they live there with catfish and plecos very happily!

 

[heartworm]

i cant really see any reason why you couldnt have one in there? (as long as you dont mind losing the plants!)
i have two adult and two juvi redclaws in a a similar sized tank, they live there with catfish and plecos very happily!

It was the plec I was most worried about., thanks for the advice/ your experience.

 

[heartworm]

i cant really see any reason why you couldnt have one in there? (as long as you dont mind losing the plants!)
i have two adult and two juvi redclaws in a a similar sized tank, they live there with catfish and plecos very happily!

It was the plec I was most worried about., thanks for the advice/ your experience.

For better or worse, tomorrow I should have a blue lobster

 

[Spishkey]

good luck and dont forget some piccies! how much do blue lobsters cost in uk?

 

[heartworm]

good luck and dont forget some piccies! how much do blue lobsters cost in uk?

Direct tropical are selling them for around £4, I'm getting mine for free due to a previous problem with the LFS.
Im considering building one of the slate caves mentioned in the DIY section for him to live in.

 

[heartworm]

good luck and dont forget some piccies! how much do blue lobsters cost in uk?

Direct tropical are selling them for around £4, I'm getting mine for free due to a previous problem with the LFS.
Im considering building one of the slate caves mentioned in the DIY section for him to live in.

He arrived, is a bit bigger than expected (5" or so) and is currently rearranging the tank. Sands all moved from where it was, photos late

 

[millie1]

was about to say dont get one lol

mine was about 4 inches and evil...... got rid of him to someone with an 8 foot tank

 

[3ndl3r]

kiss your fish goodbye mate. The lobster will eat the lot.

 

[heartworm]

kiss your fish goodbye mate. The lobster will eat the lot.

He's not gone anywhere near my barbs, they seem to just avoid him. He seems pretty sociable, when I'm near the tank he comes up to the edge and sits there, its interesting to watch him moving the sand around although any kind of noise and he runs. Seems to have made a home under some bogwood. He ate a prawn last night and dropped a bit of cucumber in for him tonight, going to get some bloodworms tomorrow. Any advice on his eating habbits appreciated.

My red tailed shark seems to enjoy following him around the tank. I'm still surprised how quickly he can move despite reading up on it.

Here's a photo of him,

​

 

[3ndl3r]

Give him time. Believe me. They will catch and eat ANYTHING they can. Definately your plec(s) mate.

As for eating habits. Anything goes. Prawns, whitebait, mussels, bottom feeder pellets, earthworms...

 

[waterdrop]

gosh he's a beautiful creature! Maybe we should be recommending these to our beginners who can't find takers to re-home fish or who are overstocked

 

[synodontisjack]

Well you have a male, unfortunatley i've had females live with fish but never a male. As 3ndl3r says you can kiss your fish goodbye be it a month or even 2 months. I've said it many times and i'll say it again crays do not belong with fish.