Although it sounds quite unusual there are many people who require keeping lobsters in captivity. I am of course, talking about restaurant owners. In order to ensure that they serve the finest and freshest lobster available, many restaurants buy in live lobsters and keep them on the premises. In theory, a lobster can live forever as its DNA regenerates every time it sheds its shell, so as long as the creature gets all the food it needs it should survive in captivity for a long time. If you are thinking that an aquarium for discus fish would be an appropriate place to keep your lobster then you would be wrong. Keeping fish mixed with lobsters is a rather foolish thing to do as in no time at all, the lobsters would be pinching at the fish and the discus would die from the stress it would cause.
That’s not to say however that keeping lobsters in a tropical fish tank is unacceptable. Sure, they would be happier if kept in a larger tank but provided that a tropical tank is not overstocked, the lobsters can survive without too much distress. Be sure to keep an eye out for when your live lobster is shedding its exoskeleton as this is the most stressful period of a lobsters life. They literally have to pull out there own insides and climb out of their own body as each shell a lobster has it ends up outgrowing. It can be easy to mistake a shed shell as a dead lobster as it looks lifeless and very much like the lobster itself. Be sure to remove the shed shell as quickly as possible so that it doesn’t begin to contaminate the tank your lobsters are kept in.
Following this guide should help you keep your lobsters in captivity successfully, but if you do need to know more information have a good look around the web for specialist guides. Lobsters require a special saltwater solution to survive in and it can be hard to get the right levels of minerals in this water. Most lobsters don’t mind be kept in a cold water tank so heating should not be a problem.
Lastly, do try and clean your lobster tank out on a regular basis to keep the lobsters healthy. They will soon contract disease if they are kept in a dirty tank. Keeping them away from direct sunlight is also highly recommended as this has the potential to cook them in the tank if it is particularly bright. Following all the advice listed here should make you a great lobster keeper though, just watch out for their pincers if you have to put your hand in their tank.