Reef lobster aggression and tank size

[Han]

Recently I got a red hawaiian reef lobster to add to my 75g predator tank with my radiata lionfish. I quarantined the lobster for a month in a 20 long and added him to the display after he molted. Since adding him to the display I’ve noticed the lionfish has been missing rays and has some tears in his fins and scrapes on his body. I’ve had this fish for over a year without any injuries so I don’t think it’s a coincidence. I haven’t actually seen the lobster attack the lion but judging by his tenacity at feeding time I really wouldn’t be surprised.

The lobster is about 6” and is bigger than the lionfish at this point. I knew they could be a threat to small fish but really didn’t think my lionfish would be at risk. I don’t like the idea of leaving the lobster in the display, he has only been in there for a few weeks and it’s already not looking good. Would it be ok to permanently house this lobster in my 20g invert qt where I quarantined him? I feel like this is too small but he would be the only resident besides whatever corals I quarantine/grow out in there. There’s no sand currently but if I had him live in there I’d definitely add a sand bed and some more rock.

 

[Han]

Anyone have any input? I know reef lobsters aren’t the most popular inverts...

 

[Gareth elliott]

#reefsquad never owned one, hes a beautiful creature though. But have no input on there safeness with slow moving fish.

 

[Han]

#reefsquad never owned one, hes a beautiful creature though. But have no input on there safeness with slow moving fish.

Thanks, he’s really stunning under blues. All the white spots on his body and his “hairs” fluoresce a lot.

 

[Mpratt1990]

Anyone have any input? I know reef lobsters aren’t the most popular inverts...

I currently have one and have had it for almost a year and never had a problem with going after any of my fish.
It wouldn’t hurt anything to put him in your other tank by himself if you think he is the cause but honestly everything has different behaviors unfortunately and even tho mine has never done anything doesn’t mean yours hasn’t.

 

[Perthegallon]

Recently I got a red hawaiian reef lobster to add to my 75g predator tank with my radiata lionfish. I quarantined the lobster for a month in a 20 long and added him to the display after he molted. Since adding him to the display I’ve noticed the lionfish has been missing rays and has some tears in his fins and scrapes on his body. I’ve had this fish for over a year without any injuries so I don’t think it’s a coincidence. I haven’t actually seen the lobster attack the lion but judging by his tenacity at feeding time I really wouldn’t be surprised.

The lobster is about 6” and is bigger than the lionfish at this point. I knew they could be a threat to small fish but really didn’t think my lionfish would be at risk. I don’t like the idea of leaving the lobster in the display, he has only been in there for a few weeks and it’s already not looking good. Would it be ok to permanently house this lobster in my 20g invert qt where I quarantined him? I feel like this is too small but he would be the only resident besides whatever corals I quarantine/grow out in there. There’s no sand currently but if I had him live in there I’d definitely add a sand bed and some more rock.

I have the exact one he goes after any fish its with

 

[Han]

I currently have one and have had it for almost a year and never had a problem with going after any of my fish.
It wouldn’t hurt anything to put him in your other rack by himself if you think he is the cause but honestly everything has different behaviors unfortunately and even tho mine has never done anything doesn’t mean yours hasn’t.

You think the 20g would be big enough? I’m almost positive he’s the culprit, he’s very bold and isn’t afraid of anything... not even me.

 

[Mpratt1990]

You think the 20g would be big enough? I’m almost positive he’s the culprit, he’s very bold and isn’t afraid of anything... not even me.

O most definitely. Just make sure he has somewhere to hide. Other then that yeah you should definitely be fine.

 

[Han]

O most definitely. Just make sure he has somewhere to hide. Other then that yeah you should definitely be fine.

Alright cool, I’ll start getting that tank ready for him. Thanks for the input

 

[locito277]

I got a red, 2 purples and a blue spiny. Blue spiny can be a threat but the other guys don’t mess with much. I’ve had pipefish, currently have mandarins, crabs, anthias etc. sure some could go rogue but never been my experience.

 

[Han]

Yeah, I’m not sure why but my guy is crazy. He attacks the tweezers at feeding time and holds on so tight I can literally lift him out of the water and he still won’t let go. And then whenever I walk into the room he holds up his pincers and comes towards me. I guess I really lucked out lol

 

[Han]

So I got a new anglerfish today, and the lobster tried to kill him as I was watching. Time to move!

 

[locito277]

He looks innocent to me

 

[Han]

Nope, Im convinced he’s part mantis shrimp or something lol. The poor angler’s fins are all torn up now but I got the lobster off of him before he could do any real damage.

 

[Mpratt1990]

Nope, Im convinced he’s part mantis shrimp or something lol. The poor angler’s fins are all torn up now but I got the lobster off of him before he could do any real damage.

Hey you just got the luck of the draw lol your lobster is crazy lol but hopefully moving him to your other tank gives you peace of mind

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

He's a cool critter for sure! I've always wanted one, but I'm always afraid they'll do what yours did.

 

[Han]

They’re still really cool though and I don’t regret buying him, I’m just glad I have another tank so I didn’t have to rehome him.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

I currently have one and have had it for almost a year and never had a problem with going after any of my fish.
It wouldn’t hurt anything to put him in your other tank by himself if you think he is the cause but honestly everything has different behaviors unfortunately and even tho mine has never done anything doesn’t mean yours hasn’t.

+1

 

[Queendam]

Recently I got a red hawaiian reef lobster to add to my 75g predator tank with my radiata lionfish. I quarantined the lobster for a month in a 20 long and added him to the display after he molted. Since adding him to the display I’ve noticed the lionfish has been missing rays and has some tears in his fins and scrapes on his body. I’ve had this fish for over a year without any injuries so I don’t think it’s a coincidence. I haven’t actually seen the lobster attack the lion but judging by his tenacity at feeding time I really wouldn’t be surprised.

The lobster is about 6” and is bigger than the lionfish at this point. I knew they could be a threat to small fish but really didn’t think my lionfish would be at risk. I don’t like the idea of leaving the lobster in the display, he has only been in there for a few weeks and it’s already not looking good. Would it be ok to permanently house this lobster in my 20g invert qt where I quarantined him? I feel like this is too small but he would be the only resident besides whatever corals I quarantine/grow out in there. There’s no sand currently but if I had him live in there I’d definitely add a sand bed and some more rock.

 

[Queendam]

I have that same lobster. I've had it for about a year now and it recently ate half of one of my clown fish. I think it changed his temperament because now he goes after all fish in the tank. I just got a couple new fish yesterday and one is missing now overnight! I may have to get rid of him if I want to keep my fish alive!