Spiny Lobster?

[Ryan Friman]

Hello,

My girlfriend's sister bought, what she was told, a reef lobster. After talking with her, we now assume it is a spiny lobster. She currently has it in a 5g nano because she was told it would not get mich bigger. Is the lobster in the picture a spiny lobster?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Any chance you can get a better picture of him? More distinguishing features are needed

 

[Ryan Friman]

Thank you for the reply. Are these better?

 

[Katrina71]

He's cool!

 

[Ryan Friman]

He's cool!

I agree. We just want to make sure we are. it putting it in a small tank if he gets bigger. My 125g would be better for him if it is a spiny lobster is our thought. We just need confirmation it will get bigger.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Panulirus longipes -long legged spiny lobster. You may need a bigger tank as maximum size these guys can get to a foot, but average 8 to 10 inches.

 

[Ryan Friman]

Panulirus longipes -long legged spiny lobster. You may need a bigger tank as maximum size these guys can get to a foot, but average 8 to 10 inches.

Do you know of any good articles about them in the reef tank? I have a 125g, six foot tank I could put it in. I will have shrimp, snails, crabs and other fish, plus corals. Basically, I want to know if it will be a good fit. Thanks for the ID.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Do you know of any good articles about them in the reef tank? I have a 125g, six foot tank I could put it in. I will have shrimp, snails, crabs and other fish, plus corals. Basically, I want to know if it will be a good fit. Thanks for the ID.

Not really as they're rarely kept in marine aquariums and more commonly served with a side of butter but from what I'm seeing they feed off of invertebrates, so your clean up crew in your 125 may be at risk. FWIW they're slow growers, averaging about an inch every 18 months and likes cooler water.

 

[Ryan Friman]

Not really as they're rarely kept in marine aquariums and more commonly served with a side of butter but from what I'm seeing they feed off of invertebrates, so your clean up crew in your 125 may be at risk. FWIW they're slow growers, averaging about an inch every 18 months and likes cooler water.

Alright, I told her we need to go back to petco and tell them that they sold us something falsely. Do you have a recommendation for a lobster for her 5/6 gallon tank?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Alright, I told her we need to go back to petco and tell them that they sold us something falsely. Do you have a recommendation for a lobster for her 5/6 gallon tank?

In all honesty I'd get her a shrimp instead such as a skunk cleaner shrimp or a blood red fire shrimp, they're both very pretty and active while not as exotic as a lobster. If the tank was larger you could do one of these, but not in a 5 gallon.
https://m.liveaquaria.com/product/555/debelius-reef-lobster?pcatid=555&c=497+506+555

 

[Katrina71]

What about a hi fin goby and smaller variety of pistol shrimp?

 

[Ryan Friman]

What about a hi fin goby and smaller variety of pistol shrimp?

Would a maroon clownfish get along with a goby? I hear maroons do not do well with other.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Would a maroon clownfish get along with a goby? I hear maroons do not do well with other.

That maroon will outgrow that 5 gallon as well, the maroons can get up to 6 inches I'm just the bad guy tonight

 

[Ryan Friman]

In all honesty I'd get her a shrimp instead such as a skunk cleaner shrimp or a blood red fire shrimp, they're both very pretty and active while not as exotic as a lobster. If the tank was larger you could do one of these, but not in a 5 gallon.
https://m.liveaquaria.com/product/555/debelius-reef-lobster?pcatid=555&c=497+506+555

She said it is not the same. If you are saying no lobster will be good in that small of a tank though I will hold her to it.

 

[Ryan Friman]

That maroon will outgrow that 5 gallon as well, the maroons can get up to 6 inches I'm just the bad guy tonight

This is what happens when they go shopping with out me.

 

[Katrina71]

That maroon will outgrow that 5 gallon as well, the maroons can get up to 6 inches I'm just the bad guy tonight

Nope. Honest. Good guy.

 

[Katrina71]

What about a hi fin goby and smaller variety of pistol shrimp?

The pistols look very much like a tiny lobster.

 

[Ryan Friman]

We have a 20L we can move to eventually but, that will not be big enough for the maroon according to quick research.