THE AMAZING HAWAIIAN MICRO-LOBSTERS!™

MARTY'S PAGE!

          Opae-ula has been available in Hawaii for several years and many hobbyists have been growing them for longer than us.  We're sharing what we know with everyone and learning from the old-timers.

A COMMITMENT TO CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENTS!

             Fuku-Bonsai is making very rapid progress since June 2003 when we introduced our first 1/2-gallon Introductory Micro-Lobster Aquarium (version 1.0).  Since then, we have created the canister light,  added the background, added Premium Micro-Lobster Food,   increased the number of Micro-Lobsters,  and found new ways to pack the units.

             We began supplying the Honolulu market through friend Judy Morita of VUE HAWAII and had sent her a sample.  Between the time she received the sample until she got their license to sell she took reservation orders.  Here's a editorially condensed email notes from Marty.

             Since Marty's unit was sent, we now include a customer survey with each unit and confirm the situation with each customer willing to return the survey.  Interested customers may request to receive our free email newsletter notification or to join our research team.

        Aloha!  I picked up my reserved mini-breeder tank on Saturday, January 10th from VUE HAWAII at Kahala Mall, two days after the call that they had arrived.  About 1/3 cup of water had spilled out of the container into the plastic bag.  After taking the cap off,  I noticed the plastic wrap that was used to cover the container was ripped in many places.  That must have been why the water leaked out. 

          I also noticed a plastic bag with the loose rocks, unsealed it and released the rocks in the back of the big rock.  I put back the water that was in the bag. They have been recovering from the trauma of shipping and now after 2 1/2 days, they look happy and healthy.  I will be feeding them tomorrow, three days after I got them. They are fascinating creatures, and am interested in learning more.  I am looking forward to having them for a long time and enjoying them, too.

         Mahalo,  Marty C. (Honolulu, Hawaii) 

        Aloha Marty,  we are making remarkable progress with the participation of a number of customers,  aquaculture researchers, and associates. VUE Hawaii will be our primary source for those who live on Oahu.  There's a number of small products that would be costly to send separately, and as you noticed,  you saved a nice amount of the shipping costs that you would have paid if you had ordered direct.  So the special relationship being established by Fuku-Bonsai and VUE Hawaii will be a win-win. 

      I believe a little spillage will happen and pleased your creatures are happily adjusting.  For a story of about feeding them by Carrie,  go to www.fukubonsai.com/M-L9a.html .

      What is their life span?   We do not know each specific individual, but know aquacultural researches have had larger 1-gallon jars continuously on their desks for over 20 years.  But no one has specifically determined lifespan or how many generations are involved.

       Where can I get more info on them?  The little booklet that came with your unit is the currently best published information.  But there's a lot more already on our website with more being added weekly.   Please send me a report after you feed them.   Regards,  ~~~David

        I watched and watched for a whole 5 minutes or more before the first micro-lobster came up and found the food.  After another few minutes, here came another, then another and soon they were swimming upside down at the top feeding just like I read about on your website.  Most of them got some food that first time and they consumed all in about an hour and a half.  It is so amazing to watch them swim upside down, I can hardly stop watching.  

         For the second feeding, I used the same amount as the first and they consumed it in the same amount of time.   They are more active and seem happy and healthy after having them for one week.  

         ~Marty

           Most reports are similar to Marty's.  We now include customer survey's with each unit and continue to confirm and gather more information.   Customers are invited to receive copies of our newsletter.  If they have special interests and can and will contribute, they are invited to join the research team. ~~~David

          February 5, 2004:  Hi David, my micro lobsters are very active and seem very happy.  They  are eating like I think they should and all looks very well.  When do you think that I will see berried females or little larvae?   I look and look in hopes that I will see them.  I have added a little distilled water to the tank, just 1 inch below the lamp.  I feed, like you do, Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

          How long should the light be on?  Will it help with warming the environment?  Now, I have been keeping it on during the day and turning it off at night.  Sometimes off for a few hours during the day when I am not at home. Does this sound about right?  Mahalo,  ~Marty 

          Aloha Marty,  a concensus has not yet been reached on the subject of lighting.  It does not seem to matter.  But with more light, more algae will grow and you'll have to do more cleaning. We use a 2-3 Q-tips cut in half and taped to a chopstick to form a cleaning tool.  The light bulb will cut in about 6-months and may last longer if turned on primarily when you want to enjoy them.  We keep them in low light with the lights off most of the time.  Regards,  ~~~David