At a Red Lobster in Pueblo, Colorado, a rare orange lobster was discovered by a dishwasher named Jose Romero while unpacking a shipment. The staff named the lobster “Crush” in honor of the Denver Broncos’ legendary Orange Crush defense. Crush was then handed off to Denver’s Downtown Aquarium, where he moved in on July 17, 2024. The general curator at the aquarium expressed excitement to be able to share this rare and extraordinary animal with the community.
Orange lobsters are very rare, with only one in 30 million having this unique coloration due to a genetic mutation affecting proteins. Red Lobster workers have previously found uniquely colored lobsters in other locations and have relocated them to various aquariums, such as Clawdia in Ohio and Cheddar in Florida.
Crush is the latest addition to Denver’s Downtown Aquarium, joining another orange lobster in the collection. After completing a 30-day quarantine period and undergoing a veterinarian’s examination, Crush will reside in the Lurks exhibit. This act of sparing the life of a rare lobster and providing it with a new home at the aquarium showcases the compassion and care shown by Red Lobster staff towards these unusual crustaceans.
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