blue "lobster"

I was given a blue lobster as a surprise gift. I'm not sure which species it is and am looking for ways to ID it so I can better find info on caring for it.

It's about the size of a yummy crawfish and probably is a crawfish.

It came missing a claw but later molted and now has both claws. Neat.

So far it eats anything but want to make sure I cover its critical needs. Unfortunately I put it in my planted tank It is no longer planted. Chopped all the leaves off and then chopped all the stems off. It's been mostly eating plant pieces now. And it ate my beta. The tetras are fast enough though.

Not a big deal. Just any info might help. I found several websites but not sure how to ID the particular species (or if it even really matters).

 

Liveaquaria had quite few different types of crayfish.

Tropical Inverts for Freshwater Aquariums: Hammers Cobalt Blue Lobster

 

Sounds like a crayfish. I used to have an electric blue one myself. He loved peas and slow moving fish. I think he also ate frozen blood worms. That was over a decade ago now. I fashioned him a cave out of red slate rocks and he spent most of his time posted up... a beautiful contrast of colours. Cool gift btw. If memory serves me right they came out of small ponds and the mutation was due to inbreeding... kind of like Carp and Koi. Enjoy

 

Ps... pic please

 

I've taken to catching tadpoles (and misc scary looking water insects) and putting those in the tank. It is amazing how fast it captures and eats them. Once it has a tadpole, just a few seconds and it is completely gone. I had no idea their mouth worked like that.

 

make sure u have NO HOLES AT ALL at the top of your tank!!! i had one once, and only had about 1/4 - 1/2" gap between my filter and my top, it escaped! next thing i know my cat had eaten it!

they are ESCAPE ARTISTS!