Lobster anyone?

cats&fish · 03-03-2006, 03:48 PM

I have seen a couple of different lobsters listed on sites that sell saltwater fish. I was wondering if anyone knows anything about them (blue lobster, and red reef lobster specifically). They look kind of coll but I wouldn't want to get into something that would end up being more than my tank or my fish could handle. Currently I have a neon dottyback, an engineer goby, and a gold stripe maroon clown. I had 2 peppermint and 2 cleaner shrimp before I got the dottyback. I hadn't researched the dottyback enough and he ended up killing all 4 of my shrimp! I don't want to make the same mistake again. I have a 55 gallon with a sand bed and about 65 lbs. live rock. I also have various mushrooms, some star polyps, a gorgonian, and various hermits and snails (mostly nassarius). Any info would be greatly appreciated! Oh yeah, the tank has been up for about 3-ish years now.

Twitterbait · 03-03-2006, 05:30 PM

they can be fish and invert killers. use caution

stang5_o2002 · 03-03-2006, 06:16 PM

I have the red version now. I've had him for about 3 weeks, and so far so good. He just stays in his cave and comes out when i feed for a few seconds and darts back to hiding. He hasnt bothered any fish or inverts YET, sooo, hopefully he wont. I have my fingers crossed.

1spotpooalot · 03-03-2006, 06:34 PM

I have the purple in a 5 gallon tank w/some rock. IMHO he was a waste of money. They are 50/50 at best w/corals and you`ll never see anyway. totaly nocturnal...not only that but they only come out at night

ChrisPrusha · 03-03-2006, 10:32 PM

What about a pistol shrimp as a possibility instead?

cats&fish · 03-03-2006, 10:41 PM

Would the pistol shrimp be okay with the neon dottyback? He made a quick lunch (whitin 2 days) of the 4 shrimp I used to have.

From what I read, I thought that the lobsters sounded elusive. I am glad to hear from people that have them. Thanks for the info!

ChrisPrusha · 03-03-2006, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Would the pistol shrimp be okay with the neon dottyback?

I can't be positive, but I would think so. They can take care of themselves. Hopefully others will chime in.

cats&fish · 03-03-2006, 10:45 PM

I wondered about the pistol or the coral banded. The coral banded always look like they can take care of themselves. But, I don't know if I trust the dottyback. I am tempted to bring him back and trade him in for some shrimp but I know it will be almost impossible to catch him.

ChrisPrusha · 03-03-2006, 10:49 PM

Those dottybacks can be fiesty indeed!! He will, unfortunately, limit what can go in the tank.

cats&fish · 03-03-2006, 10:50 PM

That's what I thought. I think I should have researched more before that purchase!

Caoineag · 03-04-2006, 12:17 AM

Yeah, but in your defense, until I actually bought a book about common aquarium fish, I was not aware of how violent the dottybacks were!

The book described what they do to other fish and I kind of think a dottyback belongs in the same tank as triggers, they are vicious.

1spotpooalot · 03-04-2006, 08:05 AM

I made the same mistake w/a dottyback. he`s gone now. he was ok for a while but definetley better w/semi-total aggressive fish.

I waited 3 months to get in a mated pair of pistol shrimp w/gobie. when they came in after acclimation and stuff I put them into my display and the pistol didnt make it to the bottom of the tank b4 my clowns grabed it and ran. (I was FUMING). this was a smaller species of pistol so really look into what youre buying and what your tankmates are. It sounds like your dottyback is more aggressive than mine was. I would try either adult and or larger shrimp w/this in your tank but it really may be a bit of a gamble...................Wish you the best of luck....keep us posted

Phishnoob · 03-04-2006, 08:09 AM

I had a purple for a year until I gave away my 90g. The problem is that I did not see him ever until we were breaking down the tank.

This was probably the most useless purchase ever for a tank inhabitant...the shrimp and serpent star at least come out during feeding.