Considering adding a blue lobster

**WindyCityFlyer** · 10-04-2012, 08:22 PM

Please move if necessary, I didn't know where to put this...

I am considering adding a blue lobster from one of my LFS, and was just looking for input from the "experts"

I have a 36 gallon bow front with plenty of hiding spots and a medium gravel substrate. My only concern is that I have three cories. They keep together normally in a certain spot in my aquarium, and I think there is ample room on the bottom for this guy. I'm just exercising caution before or if I pull the trigger.

Thanks and I appreciate your feedback!

**fishmommie** · 10-04-2012, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by WindyCityFlyer

Please move if necessary, I didn't know where to put this...

I am considering adding a blue lobster from one of my LFS, and was just looking for input from the "experts"

I have a 36 gallon bow front with plenty of hiding spots and a medium gravel substrate. My only concern is that I have three cories. They keep together normally in a certain spot in my aquarium, and I think there is ample room on the bottom for this guy. I'm just exercising caution before or if I pull the trigger.

Thanks and I appreciate your feedback!

Hey there. I'd think twice about the cories and the lobster. I have a friend who had a lobster in his tank for all of 3 days. It would hide in the rocks then jump out and terrorize any fish that went by. It also ate a snail.

Personally, I've had no experience so maybe someone else can give you more educated information. They are really cool though. I've considered one myself ... but am thinking that would be yet ANOTHER aquarium just for him and I don't dare

**WindyCityFlyer** · 10-04-2012, 08:43 PM

Originally Posted by fishmommie

Hey there. I'd think twice about the cories and the lobster. I have a friend who had a lobster in his tank for all of 3 days. It would hide in the rocks then jump out and terrorize any fish that went by. It also ate a snail.

Personally, I've had no experience so maybe someone else can give you more educated information. They are really cool though. I've considered one myself ... but am thinking that would be yet ANOTHER aquarium just for him and I don't dare

These guys are the reason I have hesitated to add to my Cory school, since I changed tanks a few months ago. I really think they could coexist in my tank, but if something happens, I won't be the most sad person ever (I'm not trying to endanger my cories for the fun of it, just that I want to add some invertebrates.)

**fishmommie** · 10-04-2012, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by WindyCityFlyer

These guys are the reason I have hesitated to add to my Cory school, since I changed tanks a few months ago. I really think they could coexist in my tank, but if something happens, I won't be the most sad person ever (I'm not trying to endanger my cories for the fun of it, just that I want to add some invertebrates.)

Glad to hear you are wanting to add to your cory school as you really should have a minimum of 6. They're much happier in a larger group.

As for invertebrates I don't have any shrimp but know a lot of folks on this forum love cherry shrimp. I added 2 apple snails to my 30 gal - a yellow and a blue. They were large marble size when I got them 3 months ago. Now they are about the size of ping pong balls. I enjoy them so much. They are so active and fun to watch - and they are NOT supposed to reproduce. Something to consider ... just remember you can't use coppersafe or any other copper med with any invertebrate or it will kill them.

Hopefully someone else will still weigh in who's had personal experience with a lobster.

**Aeonflame** · 10-04-2012, 08:53 PM

Lobsters are marine. What the lfs has is a crayfish.

I would not add a crayfish to any tank that has bottom dwelling fish, as it is only a matter of time before they are all caught and eaten.

**fishmommie** · 10-04-2012, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by Aeonflame

Lobsters are marine. What the lfs has is a crayfish.

I would not add a crayfish to any tank that has bottom dwelling fish, as it is only a matter of time before they are all caught and eaten.

You know, I knew that we were dealing with a crayfish but forgot. they sure do look like lobsters though. thanks for weighing in. I more or less figured that was the case. The one my friend had was very predatory and ended up in its own tank - or he took it back to the LFS, I can't remember which.

**cuckoochews** · 10-04-2012, 09:25 PM

ANY fish kept w/ "freshwater lobsters" WILL ,sooner or later, (my guess is sooner)be eaten. It is fact, anyone that has tried will tell you...Unless they are trying to sell you on the idea to profit off you. The least likely to consume all your fish would be the "orange dwarf" or "mexican dwarf" lobster as they are less aggressive. But they too, can not resist a dormant fish sitting in their path at night, in the dark, when they are actively searching for an easy meal.

**WindyCityFlyer** · 10-04-2012, 09:27 PM

Originally Posted by fishmommie

You know, I knew that we were dealing with a crayfish but forgot. they sure do look like lobsters though. thanks for weighing in. I more or less figured that was the case. The one my friend had was very predatory and ended up in its own tank - or he took it back to the LFS, I can't remember which.

Well, I was going by what they are listed as, hammers cobalt blue lobsters... As for shrimp, I have two killies who like to make them a nice snack, I have tried them numerous times. They go down from the top to hunt them lol. I have one mystery snail, but I find them somewhat boring.

**WindyCityFlyer** · 10-04-2012, 09:34 PM

They also have the orange dwarf ones as well. I just thought the blue looked better. Would you guys recommend the orange over the blue?

**fishmommie** · 10-04-2012, 09:38 PM

Originally Posted by WindyCityFlyer

They also have the orange dwarf ones as well. I just thought the blue looked better. Would you guys recommend the orange over the blue?

Quote from Cockoochews: "...orange dwarf" or "mexican dwarf" lobster as they are less aggressive. But they too, can not resist a dormant fish sitting in their path at night, in the dark, when they are actively searching for an easy meal."

I think the message is - ANY 'freshwater lobster' is a huge risk to your corys...