Lobsters are everywhere in the Northeast, and you can find them on the menu at many restaurants. Even fast-food establishments feature lobster dishes during the spring and summer months. Some individuals keep a lobster as a pet due to their unique and quirky characteristics.
When you get a pet lobster, there are certain things you should give your attention to daily, like their food, tank, care, hygiene, type, and companionship.
Before deciding to adopt one as a pet, it is essential to consider some factors carefully. So, here is how to keep a pet lobster and valuable tips.
Before you read this guide, “Keep a Pet Lobster: Easy Tips and Care Guide,” check out: Can Dogs Eat Crab Shells? What You Need to Know! (2023) and Can Dogs Eat Crawfish? Is It Safe? (2023).
Why Should You Get A Pet Lobster?
If you have experience keeping aquatic pets, a lobster may be a compelling addition, particularly if you appreciate unique characteristics. In addition, taking care of them may require less effort than you’re accustomed to, so it’s worth considering.
According to sources, these crustaceans can survive up to 45 to 50 years. As a result, you can expect to have your companion for a considerable length of time.
The Many Types of Lobsters
When purchasing a lobster, there are several species to choose from. However, not all types are suitable as low-maintenance pets, so selecting one you can adequately manage is crucial.
Although the electric blue crayfish is the most frequently kept lobster species, there are four distinct types.
Debelius Lobster
The Debelius lobster is a vibrant addition to any aquarium display, with a white to lavender body adorned with orange and violet spots.
It is best to build the tank with a gravel bed to accommodate the lobster’s burrowing tendencies. Since they also enjoy hiding in rocks, providing an abundance of these is crucial. Good hiding spots are essential after molting, as the lobsters often feel vulnerable and require a secure location.
Feather Start Squat Lobster
Consider the feather star if you want a petite lobster to showcase in your marine aquarium. It typically grows 2 cm at maximum.
Feather stars come in various colors, ranging from uniform shades of dark red, blackish purple, orange, or brown. However, most observed specimens have longitudinal stripes that vary in thickness, number, and hue.
Spiny Lobster
One distinguishing feature of these lobsters is their long, thick, spiny antennae and the absence of chelae (claws) on the first four pairs of walking legs, which sets them apart from common lobsters.
If you are interested in displaying a spiny lobster in your aquatic setup, follow these care tips:
- Provide a dedicated tank for the lobsters.
- Opt for a thick acrylic tank to avoid the added expense of a water chiller.
The blue spiny lobster is another intriguing option for aquarium enthusiasts. However, their feeding habits may be demanding as they tend to feed as they grow continuously.
Red lobsters
Red lobsters, which typically reach a maximum length of five inches, are prevalent in North America and have a reputation for being tenacious survivors. They can make good pets if you have a shallow pond with a minimal substrate for burrowing.
Providing ample tank space is essential since these tiny crustaceans are highly territorial. Additionally, it is critical to provide enough hiding spots, such as rocks. Otherwise, there’s a risk of conflict and cannibalism.
Red lobsters are low-maintenance pets since they can exist on almost anything at the bottom of the tank.
What Should You Feed Your Lobster?
Most saltwater lobsters typically prey on crabs, small fish, and shrimp in their natural habitat. However, if you’re keeping a lobster as a pet, it’s best to introduce food that sinks to the bottom of the tank where they prefer to dwell.
Consider feeding your lobster freeze-dried brine shrimp, bloodworms, and tubifex worms, as well as sinking shrimp pellets for a well-rounded diet.
Some species, like the cobalt blue lobster, are scavengers and can consume various items at the bottom of the tank, including food remains, pellets, fish flakes, and even live plants. However, a balanced diet and avoiding overfeeding are essential to maintaining a healthy environment.
Tanks and Care
It is crucial to understand the specific needs of each pet lobster species, as some can be destructive and even prey on other tankmates.
Tank setup requirements will vary depending on the type of lobster. For example, the electric blue lobster requires a freshwater tank, while most others are saltwater. Providing ample space in the tank is crucial, as lobsters are territorial and can become aggressive if overcrowded. Adding rocks, plants, and other hiding spots is also recommended, as lobsters prefer to avoid bright light.
It is essential to use safe materials in the tank, avoiding metals such as copper, brass, bronze, lead, or zinc, as they can be poisonous to lobsters. Instead, opt for stainless steel or PVC pipe.
Food
Feeding your pet lobster sinking pellets is best, especially freeze-dried brine shrimp, bloodworms, and tubifex worms. While some species, such as the cobalt blue lobster, are scavengers and will consume almost anything at the bottom of the tank.
How Long Do Lobsters Live?
Although the lifespan of a pet lobster is not entirely clear, some reports suggest that male European lobsters can live for approximately 34 years while females can survive up to 54 years. Additionally, some species can live up to 100 years before passing away.
What About Lobster Companionship?
Lobsters prefer to live alone, so there is no need to have any other tankmates with them.
However, if you want to breed lobsters, you can introduce a female lobster into the male’s tank after she has molted. That is the only time when she is receptive to mating and having her eggs fertilized. After mating, moving the female lobster back to her tank to lay her eggs and wait for her shell to harden again is essential.
If keeping multiple lobsters, providing enough space and using a mesh screen to prevent fights between tankmates is essential. Lastly, turning off the lights at night is recommended, as lobsters are nocturnal and prefer to be active during these hours.
Where Can You Get A Pet Lobster?
That Pet Place
That Pet Place is an online pet store that sells a variety of animals, including lobsters. They offer a selection of freshwater and saltwater lobsters, including the famous blue lobster and red claw lobster. The lobsters are sourced from reputable breeders to ensure their health and well-being.
That Pet Place sells lobster food, supplements, and accessories along with live lobsters. In addition, they provide detailed information on how to properly care for pet lobsters, including advice on aquarium setup, water quality, and feeding.
That Pet Place offers a live arrival guarantee on all lobsters they sell, meaning that if a lobster arrives dead or dies within a specific timeframe after arrival, they will issue a refund or replacement. They also have a service team to support customers with questions or concerns about their pet lobster.
Pete’s Aquariums
Pete’s Aquariums & Fish is an online retailer selling marine life, including lobsters. The company offers various pet lobsters, such as the Blue Lobster, the Caribbean Spiny Lobster, and the Orange Lobster. In addition, the website features detailed descriptions of each species, including their size, care requirements, and feeding habits.
Pete’s Aquariums also offers a variety of aquarium setups, including lobster tanks, to ensure that your pet has a safe and healthy environment. Depending on your needs and preferences, they offer a range of lobster tank sizes, from small desktop tanks to larger custom-built tanks.
Depending on their location, customers can choose between overnight or two-day shipping when ordering a lobster from Pete’s Aquariums.
In addition, the company offers a live arrival guarantee, ensuring that all lobsters arrive healthy and alive. Customers can also track their shipment online to ensure their lobster arrives on time.
Overall, Pete’s Aquariums is a reputable online retailer. The staff is committed to providing quality products and excellent customer service, making it a popular choice for lobster enthusiasts.
The iFISH store
The iFISH store is an online retailer that sells various aquatic pets, including lobsters. They are based in Vancouver, Canada, and offer to ship worldwide.
The iFISH store has a selection of different species available, including spiny and slipper lobsters. Each listing includes a description of the lobster’s size, temperament, and ideal tank conditions.
They also offer various colors and patterns, such as blue and albino. In addition to lobsters, the iFISH store also sells aquariums, filters, and other supplies needed to keep a lobster as a pet. They have a user-friendly website so you can easily browse selections, place orders, and track shipments.
The iFISH store has a good reputation among customers for their quality of service and the health of their animals. They take great care to ensure the lobsters are healthy and disease-free before shipping them to their new homes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pet lobsters can eat various foods, including freeze-dried or live shrimp, brine shrimp, bloodworms, tubifex worms, sinking shrimp pellets, fish flakes, and live plants. Some species, such as the cobalt blue lobster, are scavengers and can feed on almost anything found at the bottom of the tank, including food remains and pellets.
Therefore, you should introduce food that sinks to the bottom of the tank, where lobsters like to dwell. However, avoid overfeeding your pet lobster, which can lead to health problems.
The lifespan of a pet lobster can vary depending on the species, care, and environment. While the exact lifespan of pet lobsters in a tank is unknown, some lobsters can live for several decades.
For example, European lobsters can live up to 34 years for males and up to 54 years for females. Other species of lobsters can live up to 100 years or more. Therefore, pet lobsters can live in a tank with proper care and a suitable environment for several years.
It is best not to keep store-bought lobsters as pets. Most store-bought lobsters are intended for consumption and may not have the necessary characteristics to thrive in a home aquarium.
Additionally, store-bought lobsters may carry diseases that can harm other aquatic animals in the tank. It is best to obtain a lobster from a reputable breeder or dealer who can provide the necessary care and information to ensure the health and well-being of the animal in captivity.
To keep lobsters alive at home, you will need to follow some specific steps:
Keep them moist
Lobsters need to be moist to stay alive. So you can keep them in a damp cloth or seaweed and sprinkle water over them occasionally.
Provide adequate space
If you store more than one lobster, ensure they have enough space to move around and avoid overcrowding.
Keep them out of the water for a short time
Lobsters need to be kept in water or a moist environment to survive. If you transport them, keep them in a cooler with ice or a damp cloth.
The lifespan of lobsters in captivity can vary depending on the species, living conditions, and the quality of care.
Some species, such as the European lobster, have been known to live up to 30 to 40 years in captivity. However, other species may have a shorter lifespan. A suitable environment, appropriate diet, and regular care can help pet lobsters live as long and healthy as possible.
The oldest lobster is estimated to be about 140 years old. However, this was not official. Generally, lobsters in the wild can live up to 70 years, while in captivity, they may live for up to 20 years.
There is no accurate way to determine a lobster’s age based solely on its weight. A lobster’s age depends on its size; it is only sometimes correct. However, generally, lobsters can live to be up to 100 years old.
Conclusion for “Keep a Pet Lobsters: Easy Tips and Care Guide”
This guide highlights that lobsters are low-maintenance pets, but it is crucial to understand their specific needs and consider some factors before adopting one. With the right care and setup, lobsters can survive up to 54 years in captivity.
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Learn more by watching “Raising a Grocery Store Lobster as a Pet” down below:
Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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