The two incredibly rare orange lobsters found in the Makro store in Leicester are being placed at the Sea Life Center in Birmingham.
The shellfish shocked customer Joseph Lee last week after spotting them in the Leicester wholesaler’s lobster tank.
After speaking with store management, they confirmed that they would be donated to a local Sea Life Center.
Now Sea Life Birmingham has confirmed that the two rare Canadian lobsters have been rescued from the fish counter and will spend the rest of their lives at the center.
Only one in 30 million Canadian lobsters has a naturally orange shell, with most having a brown, almost blue tint to camouflage themselves in the wild.
It is only when cooked that they normally get the famous orange shell.
They become the second and third orange lobsters hosted at a Sea Life center in 12 months, with another orange lobster given to the Birmingham sister site in Blackpool in October 2020.
A Sea Life Birmingham spokesperson said: “Two extremely rare Canadian orange lobsters have been rescued and will be hosted at Sea Life Birmingham.
“An eagle-eyed shopper spotted the couple at a Leicester fishmonger and reported the remarkable shellfish to the counter manager.
“The manager has already realized that these examples are incredibly rare; in fact, only one in 30 million Canadian lobsters is naturally orange.
“In fact, unless cooked, they usually have a dark brown, almost blue tint, for camouflage purposes, which is why this vivid duo stood out.
(Photo: Micaela Carreiro)
“After quick conversations between the fish counter team and the creature care professionals at Sea Life to organize a forever home, the lobsters will now, after a health check and three week quarantine, settle in. permanently in the Bay of Ray exhibit at the Birmingham Aquarium.
“In an incredibly unusual chain of events, this pair is the second and even the third orange addition to the Sea Life family of creatures in less than 12 months, with the Birmingham sister site in Blackpool hosting another orange lobster in October 2020. “
Jonny Rudd Sea Life Birmingham curator said: “There is a one in 30 million chance of seeing a naturally orange live lobster – so one member of the public will stumble upon two, and manage to relocate them where they can be seen in their citric splendor by thousands of visitors is a truly remarkable result.
“Our animal care team will monitor their health during quarantine before the colorful couple can put on a permanent show for our guests.”
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The Sea Life spokesperson added: “As Sea Life Birmingham reopened to the public on May 17the, a strict health and safety policy is in place to ensure the safety of visitors and the site team.
“This includes social distancing measures, online pre-reservations for specific visiting slots, reduced capacity, extensive and additional cleaning operations, and face masks should always be worn indoors.
“Visit the Sea Life Birmingham website for more information and to book your visit. “
