Rare Blue Lobster On Display At The National Aquarium In DC | News

WASHINGTON (WUSA) -- A rare blue lobster, 1-in-2 million, is now on disply at the National Aquarium in spirit of Independence Day.

Toby, the blue lobster, was caught off the coast of Maryland near Ocean City in June by John Gourley and his team aboard the Pot Luck fishing boat. The unique color is a genetic variation that is caused by the lobster producing an excessive amount of a particular protein.

Before being donated to the National Aquarium, Toby was kept at Martin's Fish Co.'s lobster tank due to standard precautionary measures regarding the safety of a new species.

On Tuesday, Toby was placed in the recently renovated Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuaries exhibit, which currently houses three black sea bass and one tautog.

The aquarium will be open until 6 p.m. Sun.-Thu. and until 7 p.m. on Fri. and Sat. through September 3.