How to Keep Lobsters in an Aquarium

Lobsters are crustaceans, or hard-shelled creatures, that roam the bottom of the sea scavenging for food. Lobsters are broken down into three main species. Purple and Orange Lobsters have a long, flat spotted body. The Red Lobster grows up to 5 inches long and is red and orange shelled with a spotted, bristly white body. The Spiny Blue Lobster can be black, green, white or blue and grow up to 14 inches. No matter what type, lobsters thrive fairly well in aquariums with proper care.

Instructions

    • 1

      Put only one type of lobster in a single aquarium at a time to avoid fighting between species. Additionally, do not put any slow moving animals in the aquarium as the lobster will attack and kill them if possible. Lobsters typically do not bother faster moving fish.

    • 2

      Buy an aquarium large enough for your lobsters to have at least three feet of space to themselves. Lobsters, no matter what type, are extremely territorial and aggressive, even with their own species.

    • 3

      Remove anything that lobsters can climb. They are resourceful escape artists and will climb up and out of the tank if they can.

    • 4

      Light the tank dimly. Lobsters are nocturnal creatures and prefer darker environs.

    • 5

      Put hardy tank plants, caves and rocks in the tank with the lobster. These animals love to hide in dark crevices. Put sand, gravel or small rocks at the bottom of the aquarium so that lobsters can bury themselves when they want to hide. Red Lobsters in particular are avid burrowers.

    • 6

      Keep the pH level of the tank between 6.5 and 8 and the temperature between 77 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

    • 7

      Feed them a diet of dry specialized lobster food available at pet stores or lobster providers. One large pellet twice a day per adult lobster should be plenty. In addition, lobsters will appreciate occasional treats such as worms or small fish.