Posted by Buddy on November 19, 2002 at 22:57:57:
In Reply to: Re: Blue Lobster is listeless? posted by marck on November 18, 2002 at 21:07:43:
:I heard that he may be preparing to molt. Could that be the case?
:Marc
I don`t know what you know about it, but this is what take place each time a lobster molt`s,
MOLTING OR SHEDDING; Lobsters grow by molting or shedding their shell. It takes a lobster four to seven years to grow to be one pound in weight and to become an adult. They molt, or shed their shells, about 25 times in those first years of life. An adult male lobster sheds its old shell and grows a new one twice a year and a female once, increasing about 1/2 in. and 1/3 pound each time. When molting, the lobster's body gives off a substance that softens the shell. Then, by expanding its muscles, the lobster splits the shell and steps out of it. This process takes approximately 15 minutes. The new shell, which had formed under the old one, is soft and gives the lobster no protection. It takes about eight weeks for the new shell to harden.
And i did also tell you the tank you have it in is to small a tank. But you didn`t say nothing on this, but if you have no reason to this fact, and plan on continuing to keep it in a small tank, i`ll not assess you any further in information on this marine animal. ><{{{{"> Buddy
