Lobster tank?

[Rocktopus]

I don't know if this has been addressed before, but is it possible to farm-raise edible lobsters (ie common Maritime lobsters), in a home tank?  If so, what would you need.

My friends have been bugging me since I got my tanks to start raising lobsters to eat.  I just want to be able to actually explain to them what it takes to raise 1 lb lobsters from birth (as I assume a huge tank and detailed salinity/mineral levels).

[Shouganai]

I'm not too sure about lobster husbandry, but I do know that lobsters take a pretty long time to reach maturity (7-8 years), and saleable lobsters are often older than that, as they grow throughout their lives.  I believe the species you are asking about can live in excess of 50 years, but no one is entirely sure, as they are difficult to put an age to.

You might be better off raising edible crayfish/yabbies en masse.

[az]

if i can try a cooked one first, i can give you some ideas....i think!

[fiftyfive]

Growing lobsters... !

I don't think I could wait that long!

Having a "holding tank" for live lobsters.. well that's something probably more realistic. You could ask the supermarket that stocks them how they do it... maybe you could buy the smaller lobster for cheaper and let them have some grow time...



Good luck!

[Underwater]

Somebody watch too many Simpsons episodes? 

Guaranteed to be much cheaper to buy wild caught live lobster.

The cost of housing and feeding them for years will surely be higher than even the most expensive lobster.

[fiftyfive]

Somebody watch too many Simpsons episodes? 

Guaranteed to be much cheaper to buy wild caught live lobster.

The cost of housing and feeding them for years will surely be higher than even the most expensive lobster.

Agreed!

Like I was saying, the only thing I can see this working for is keeping the lobster alive and fresh untill their "day of judgement."

[Rocktopus]

I had no idea they got that old.  I don't really plan on even trying to establish a holding tank.  It's just that, ironically, I work at red lobster and everyone there that finds out I have a tank suggests that I start taking lobsters home and raising them.

I'm tired of telling them I've got a freshwater setup and seeing that puzzelled look on their face.  Now I can just say "sure I'll grow a lobster for you, just get back to me in 5 years"

.... And I definately do have that Simpsons eppy on cd somewhere 

[mseguin]

PPPIIIIINNNNCCCHHHHHYYYYY!!!!!!

[Adam]

I don't think I could eat it after all that time.

Adam

[babblefish1960]

Proabably not, it would have a name and eat out of your hand by then.

I remember answering the kids at suppertime one day the usual "whats for supper", and I replied "Clarence", he was the young steer they had been feeding for the previous year, the first meal didn't go over too well.