Keeping a Lobster as a Pet: What You Should Know
If you’re thinking about keeping a lobster as a pet, there are a few things you should know. First, lobsters are marine crustaceans, so they need to live in saltwater. You’ll need to set up a tank for your lobster and make sure the water is properly salted. Second, lobsters are scavengers, so they’ll eat just about anything. You’ll need to provide them with a healthy diet of seafood and vegetables. Finally, lobsters are nocturnal creatures, so they’re most active at night. Keep this in mind when setting up their tank and providing them with food and water. With these things in mind, keeping a lobster as a pet can be a fun and rewarding experience.
Species Matters
There are two main types of lobsters as pet kept as pets: the American lobster and the European lobster. These two species are very different in terms of size, diet, and personality.
The American lobster is the larger of the two species, reaching lengths of up to 3 feet and weighing up to 20 pounds. They’re also more aggressive than their European cousins and have been known to attack humans. As such, they’re not recommended for first-time lobster owners.
The European lobster is a better choice for those looking to keep a lobster as a pet. They typically only grow to be about 2 feet long and weigh around 10 pounds. They’re also less aggressive than American lobsters and make better tank mates for other marine creatures.
Diet
Lobsters are scavengers, so they’ll eat just about anything. This includes seafood, vegetables, and even other lobsters. It’s important to provide them with a varied diet to keep them healthy. You can either buy commercially prepared lobster food or make your own at home.
If you choose to make your own lobster food, cooked seafood and vegetables are a good starting point. You can also add in some calcium supplements to help keep their shells strong. Lobster food should be given to them 2-3 times per week in small amounts.
Water Quality
Since lobsters are marine creatures, they need to live in saltwater. You’ll need to set up a tank for your lobster and make sure the water is properly salted. The salinity of the water should be around 1.025, which is similar to the ocean.
You’ll also need to provide them with a filter to keep the water clean. Lobsters produce a lot of waste, so a good filter is essential. The size of the tank will depend on how many lobsters you’re planning on keeping. A general rule of thumb is to provide at least 10 gallons of water per lobster.