Reef Lobster and Odd Fish Behavior

[kste1974]

So my reef lobster is starting to come out of the closet, literally. As such, a couple of my smaller female Lyretail Anthias I recently purchased have disappeared. I bought eight females and one male. One of the two didn't make it through the night. The other was accounted for earlier today about a week after the first disappeared, but couldn't be found before nightfall, meaning if the lobster was the culprit, it was a brazen daytime attack!

Also tonight I noticed for the first time, a "Fish Swarm" in front of the lobster as he came half way out of his cave. Tangs and my swallow tail Angel participated. My Kole Tang is the most shy, but opens his mouth at the lobster and is the most 'curious.' The Angel kept backing into it and floating face down in front of the lobster. - all of it seemingly territorial aggression. I've never sent this before and a search hasn't identitied anything.

Anyone have any ideas? Maybe protective behavior since they might have witnessed a murder of one of their comrades earlier?

And yes, I have since began target feeding him to stop the extremely expensive meals from occurring.

This is a 250g SPS tank (at its initial stages).

 

[kste1974]

Here's a screenshot from the vid I was able to get.

 

[Tahoe61]

A Lobster is a predator. The fish might be gesturing to keep the Lobster in check.

 

[Harse Designs]

following this thread

 

[kste1974]

A Lobster is a predator. The fish might be gesturing to keep the Lobster in check.

Right. Predator. But all The information about reef lobsters show that they are peaceful minus small fish and inverts if not target fed. I know each has their own personality, so maybe this guy is just one of those evil ones and the fish know it, ha ha

 

[Tahoe61]

Have you ever seen tiny birds swarming/flocking a Hawk or larger raptor? Just checking out the larger predator and letting that predator know it's being observed in their territory. A cool invert, I have had a few but they were too reclusive for me in the long run.

 

[kste1974]

Our seventh female Lyretail Anthias just got rediscovered today. So the total casualty count stands at one, less than 12 hours after it was introduced to the tank.

 

[Chris Aldrich]

What species is it?

Keep in mind lobsters of any variety are nocturnal, opportunistic, destructive hunters. It was once accepted that lobsters were scavengers, but research has shown most of their diet is live prey. It won't hesitate to snack on any tankmate it can grab hold of. I've heard success stories, but I liken it to keeping a ticking time bomb in your aquarium. They'll likely make you pay for keeping them around and it sounds like you're starting to see the beginning of a trend.

That said, I think they can a neat pet in a species-only setup or a system specifically designed for their needs (and special considerations toward tankmates).

 

[kste1974]

It's a purple reef lobster 4-6" max). My conundrum is that the spouse loves them and would prefer to give him a try regardless of the risks. I think we came to an agreement three strikes and he's out. So far, strike 1. Ha ha

 

[erk]

The anthias died 12 hours after introduction, so isn't it a bit early to say the lobster did it? Did you quarantine the anthias prior to introducing them? If you did, then I can see why you blame the lobster. If not, then I'd say the lobster still has 0 strikes and the anthias succumbed to aggression/competition with it's own kind. Also add that Genicanthus angels occupy the same niche as anthias, leading to aggression towards the anthias since they are competition. Could've been a combination of the angel and the anthias weeding out the weakling and the lobster got a free meal. Feed more and hopefully you won't have any further deaths, all this assuming the lobster isn't a murdering sociopath. Though, keep in mind the Genicanthus angel will compete with the anthias for food in the water column and assert it's dominance over them eventually.

 

[kste1974]

The anthias died 12 hours after introduction, so isn't it a bit early to say the lobster did it? Did you quarantine the anthias prior to introducing them? If you did, then I can see why you blame the lobster. If not, then I'd say the lobster still has 0 strikes and the anthias succumbed to aggression/competition with it's own kind. Also add that Genicanthus angels occupy the same niche as anthias, leading to aggression towards the anthias since they are competition. Could've been a combination of the angel and the anthias weeding out the weakling and the lobster got a free meal. Feed more and hopefully you won't have any further deaths, all this assuming the lobster isn't a murdering sociopath. Though, keep in mind the Genicanthus angel will compete with the anthias for food in the water column and assert it's dominance over them eventually.

Nope...didn't quarantine. True, I could be jumping to conclusions. The lobster could have simply taken the fish carcass as opposed to killing the fish and then eating it. Regardless, I have no doubt it the lobster caused it to simply "disappear." I've never heard of a Spottyback/Swallowtail Angel picking on Anthias. I'll keep my eye out, but my five Tangs, two Dragon Gobys, one Bluespotted Goby, Pajama Cardinal and Angel have all been getting along for months before the introduction of the nine Anthers. Of course I keep everyone well fed though, so I'm sure that's helping.

 

[Chris Aldrich]

It's a purple reef lobster 4-6" max). My conundrum is that the spouse loves them and would prefer to give him a try regardless of the risks. I think we came to an agreement three strikes and he's out. So far, strike 1. Ha ha

Ah yes, that's a smaller species so its potential for destruction is lessened - though still there. Best of luck, and should it come to strike two and three, I hope they're not too devastating!