Purple Reef Lobster

[smokinjoe2122]

So 2 days ago, I bought a Six Line Wrasse to add to the tank, he made it through the acclimation process, though he was skidish, he did come out to eat. I left for the night, and came home to him half eaten on the bottom of the tank. This is the second fish in 2 tries (Other was a fire goby) that died within 2 days. I drip acclimated him for an hour just like the goby and seemed fine swimming in the tank. Does anyone think it could of been the reef lobster to attack it? I have seen him chase my clowns before but never close to catching them. The clowns usually sleep on the top of the tank, so maybe they know better. All I know is I'm getting very frustrated, especially with the money part. I just recently did a water change, and I haven't checked the parameters, but the rest of the tank seems fine. I guess I'm wondering if they get more aggressive with time? I have had him for close to 2 years now... It's a 29 gallon hex. 30-40+ lbs of live rock... 2 false perc clowns, variegate sea urchin, CC star, and the purple reef lobster...

 

[seffieuk]

Yes indeed Jo, get him out

Seffie x

 

[smokinjoe2122]

Yes indeed Jo, get him out

Seffie x

Seffie,

You think I could use one of those all in one marineland, eclipse, tetra, ect. 10 gallon or so tanks and convert it to a sw one just for the lobster? If I were to add established tank water, some sand / crushed coral and live rock from my tank, would that cut down on the cycle time? I know a lot of people just put them in their sumps, so I don't think it would be much different... Just throwin out ideas...Like I said I just can't get rid of him, so rehousing is my next best option. I just don't want a big tank or to spend a lot of money just for him.... My 29 gallon is a hex and not a lot of room for anything, especially a sump setup....

 

[three-fingers]

Reef lobsters don't usually go for fish unless your aren't feeding them enough, but in such close quarters (a 29gal hex) its not really surprising.

Use water and live rock from your main tank to set up the 10gal and it will be fine, the lobster will do better since you can actually feed him properly, and you can use dim lighting so you will see him a lot more.

Just make sure the dimensions of the tank are OK. Ideally 2' long and 1' wide, as these guys can get 6" long easily and they should really have space to move around.

They are much better in their own tank as opposed to a community reef set up.

 

[smokinjoe2122]

Reef lobsters don't usually go for fish unless your aren't feeding them enough, but in such close quarters (a 29gal hex) its not really surprising.

Use water and live rock from your main tank to set up the 10gal and it will be fine, the lobster will do better since you can actually feed him properly, and you can use dim lighting so you will see him a lot more.

Just make sure the dimensions of the tank are OK. Ideally 2' long and 1' wide, as these guys can get 6" long easily and they should really have space to move around.

They are much better in their own tank as opposed to a community reef set up.

Yah that's the thing. I do feed my lobster quite often. I feed him krill and silver sides a few times a week, which I believe attribute to my high phosphate problems... I think he just likes the taste of fish better. I feed him a huge whole piece of krill the first night I put the wrasse in the tank to avoid this problem. Then he ate the wrasse the following night.. Thanks for the info Three Fingers, sounds like a plan..

 

[smokinjoe2122]

So I set up a 10 gallon tank for the lobster, using water from my main tank during a water change (Roughly 50% or 5+/- gallons) and a few lbs of live rock, and a few bits of sand/crushed coral. Does anyone know if this is going to go through a mini cycle? It has a small 10 gallon whisper/carbon type filter. I need to get a powerhead or 2, but should I wait on moving the lobster over for a few weeks to make sure there is no spike, or should I do it now? Also Since this 10 gallon is pretty bleak with just some live rock and eventually the reef lobster, would it be ok to add a feather duster? Will it create a much larger bioload, especially if I have to spot feed it? Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[n3ont3tra]

Unless you let the rocks sit out of the water for a while, yo should be okay. If I were you I would test ammonia and maybe nitrate for about a week, if they check out then go ahead and add the lobster. Make sure you get a powerhead though.