Conn. aquarium is new home to 3 exotic lobsters

[October 12, 2010]  NORWALK, Conn. (AP) -- Connecticut's Maritime Aquarium is the new home to three exotic lobsters, a colorful trio sharing the same tank at the Norwalk center.

The crustaceans are normal sizes, but one is sky blue, another is pumpkin orange and the third is a mottled yellow and black calico pattern.

The Maine-based Lobster Conservancy says perhaps one lobster in 1 million is blue, while both the orange and calico versions might be as rare as 1 in 30 million.

Lobsters' shells are usually blackish-green. Genetic abnormalities are usually the cause of oddly colored shells.

The animals are from Connecticut sources. Swanson's Fish Market in Monroe and Darien Seafood donated the orange and calico lobsters, respectively, to the aquarium. The blue lobster came from three New London fishermen.

[Associated Press]

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