{"product_id":"blue-lobster-panulirus-versicolor","title":"Blue Lobster - Panulirus versicolor","description":"\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBlue Lobster (\u003cem\u003ePanulirus versicolor\u003c\/em\u003e)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Blue Lobster is a spectacular marine spiny lobster recognised for its vivid blue and turquoise markings, long antennae and bold striped legs. Highly active after dark and impressive as it matures, this species is best suited to very large marine aquariums with substantial rockwork and robust tankmates. Its considerable adult size and predatory scavenging behaviour make it unsuitable for most conventional reef aquariums.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlue Lobster, Painted Spiny Lobster, Blue Spiny Lobster\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePanulirus versicolor\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApproximately 30–40 cm body length, with antennae extending considerably further\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMarine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Blue Lobster occurs throughout tropical Indo-Pacific reef environments and is associated with coral reefs, rocky crevices, caves and sheltered reef structures.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt typically remains hidden within caves and deep crevices during daylight hours before becoming increasingly active at night.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature: 24–26°C\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH Range: 8.1–8.4\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSalinity: SG 1.024–1.026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNitrate: Low and stable\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCopper: Must be avoided\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSemi-Aggressive \/ Predatory\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Blue Lobster can be territorial and may prey upon smaller fish, shrimp, crabs, snails and other vulnerable aquarium inhabitants.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is best kept with robust, appropriately sized marine fish that are unlikely to be caught while resting.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOmnivore \/ Scavenger \/ Predator\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Blue Lobster feeds on a wide range of marine foods including molluscs, crustaceans, carrion and other organic material.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the aquarium, offer a varied diet including prawn, mussel, cockle, squid, krill and other suitable marine foods.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA varied diet containing hard-shelled foods is beneficial and helps encourage natural feeding behaviour.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApproximately 750 litres\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA very large aquarium with extensive floor space, substantial rockwork and secure caves is required due to its adult size and long antennae.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Activity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Blue Lobster is primarily nocturnal and usually spends daylight hours hidden beneath rockwork or inside caves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAfter dark, it becomes considerably more active and may roam widely around the aquarium searching for food.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts powerful legs and long antennae mean that loose décor, unsecured coral frags and lightweight rockwork may be disturbed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eNot Reef Safe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Blue Lobster should not be considered reef safe.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt may prey upon ornamental shrimp, crabs, snails, molluscs and small fish, and its movement can disturb or damage unsecured corals and aquascaping.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt is generally better suited to large fish-only or predator marine systems.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvide a large, mature marine aquarium with substantial secure rockwork and several spacious caves.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAll rockwork should be positioned firmly, as adult specimens are powerful and capable of moving loose objects.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvoid keeping with ornamental crustaceans, small fish or other vulnerable invertebrates.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCopper-based medications must never be used, as copper is highly toxic to marine crustaceans.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCareful acclimation is recommended because lobsters can be sensitive to sudden changes in salinity and water chemistry.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEnsure sufficient space is available for successful moulting, and avoid disturbing the lobster while its new shell is still soft.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStrong filtration and regular maintenance are important due to the waste produced by a large omnivorous crustacean.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExperienced\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAvailability can vary depending on season and supplier.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the invert you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aqua Group","offers":[{"title":"Small","offer_id":68175652946093,"sku":"AG-105229","price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium","offer_id":68175652978861,"sku":"AG-105230","price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large","offer_id":68175653011629,"sku":"AG-105231","price":55.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/BlueLobster-Panulirusversicolor.jpg?v=1794330573","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/blue-lobster-panulirus-versicolor","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}