{"product_id":"squat-lobster","title":"Squat Lobster - Allogalathea elegans","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"36\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSquat Lobster (Allogalathea elegans)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"36\"\u003eThe Squat Lobster, Allogalathea elegans, is a tiny and highly unusual marine crustacean with elegant striped markings, long slender claws and a close natural association with feather stars. Also known as the Crinoid Squat Lobster, Feather Star Squat Lobster or Elegant Squat Lobster, this Indo-Pacific species is not a true lobster, but a small anomuran crustacean more closely related to hermit crabs and porcelain crabs. It is reef safe with caution, peaceful and fascinating, but best suited to mature, calm reef aquariums where its delicate size and specialist feeding needs can be supported.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"655\" data-end=\"781\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"667\" data-end=\"670\"\u003eSquat Lobster, Crinoid Squat Lobster, Feather Star Squat Lobster, Elegant Squat Lobster, Striped Squat Lobster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"783\" data-end=\"830\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name (Latin):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"807\" data-end=\"810\"\u003eAllogalathea elegans\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"832\" data-end=\"942\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"845\" data-end=\"848\"\u003eUsually around 2 cm body length, with long claws and antennae making the animal appear larger.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"944\" data-end=\"964\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"955\" data-end=\"958\"\u003eMarine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"966\" data-end=\"1397\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin \/ Natural Habitat:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"991\" data-end=\"994\"\u003eIndo-Pacific, including the Red Sea and tropical western Pacific reef regions. Naturally found on coastal reefs and coral habitats, usually living among the arms of crinoids, also known as feather stars. The crinoid host provides protection and access to plankton-rich feeding positions, and the squat lobster’s colour pattern often helps it blend in with the host. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1399\" data-end=\"1498\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1416\" data-end=\"1419\"\u003eTemperature: 24–27°C\u003cbr data-start=\"1439\" data-end=\"1442\"\u003epH Range: 8.1–8.4\u003cbr data-start=\"1459\" data-end=\"1462\"\u003eHardness or Salinity: SG 1.023–1.025\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1500\" data-end=\"1799\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1512\" data-end=\"1515\"\u003ePeaceful, shy and cryptic. It should not be housed with predatory or nipping fish such as hawkfish, triggers, puffers, large wrasses, dottybacks or larger predatory gobies. It may be mildly territorial around a preferred perch, but it is not a threat to most suitable reef tank mates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1801\" data-end=\"2255\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1806\" data-end=\"1809\"\u003eMicro-planktivore and scavenging feeder. In nature, it feeds on plankton and fine suspended foods associated with its crinoid host’s feeding position. In the aquarium, offer very small foods such as copepods, cyclops, calanus, enriched brineshrimp, finely chopped mysis, powdered coral foods and fine marine plankton preparations. In very clean systems, targeted feeding is recommended to prevent starvation. \u003cspan class=\"\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2257\" data-end=\"2524\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2275\" data-end=\"2278\"\u003eA minimum of 40 litres is suitable for a single specimen in a stable specialist nano reef, but 80 litres or more is preferred for better water stability and feeding control. The aquarium should be mature, peaceful and rich in small natural foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2526\" data-end=\"3021\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBehaviour \u0026amp; Activity:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2551\" data-end=\"2554\"\u003eA small, cryptic crustacean that spends much of its time perched among feather stars, branching coral-style structure, rock crevices or sheltered ledges. It may be visible mostly during quieter periods or feeding time. In the wild, it uses crinoid arms for shelter and feeding access; in aquariums without a crinoid host, it may choose branching corals, macroalgae, caves or rockwork as a substitute. It is delicate and can easily be lost in large, busy reef systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3023\" data-end=\"3411\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3033\" data-end=\"3036\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eReef Safe with Caution\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3058\" data-end=\"3061\"\u003eGenerally safe with corals and peaceful reef invertebrates. The caution is because it is very small, may steal tiny food particles from coral surfaces, and may be vulnerable to predation. If kept with a feather star or delicate filter-feeding host, the needs of that host must also be considered, as crinoids are highly specialist animals themselves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3413\" data-end=\"3893\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Requirements or Care Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3448\" data-end=\"3451\"\u003eBest kept in a mature, low-aggression reef aquarium with regular access to fine planktonic foods. Do not keep with shrimp-eating or crab-eating fish. Slow acclimation is important, as small marine crustaceans are sensitive to salinity and temperature swings. Avoid copper-based treatments. Cover pump intakes and overflow slots in nano systems, and provide branching structure, caves or a suitable host area so the animal can settle securely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3895\" data-end=\"3935\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable for:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3908\" data-end=\"3911\"\u003eIntermediate fishkeepers\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3937\" data-end=\"3980\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvailability:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3950\" data-end=\"3953\"\u003eRare or occasional in trade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3982\" data-end=\"4244\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAll images are a visual representation of the animal 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":"Black","offer_id":46022461259949,"sku":"AG-103276","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Red","offer_id":46022461292717,"sku":"AG-103277","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Yellow","offer_id":46022461325485,"sku":"AG-103278","price":30.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0543\/0391\/6205\/files\/Squat_Lobster_-_Allogalathea_elegans_Black.jpg?v=1779468148","url":"https:\/\/aquagroup.co.uk\/products\/squat-lobster","provider":"Aqua Group","version":"1.0","type":"link"}