The curious world of marine biology often raises fascinating questions, particularly about the sea creatures that dwell in the ocean. A commonly asked question is: Do lobsters have gills? Can lobsters breathe out of water? How long can a lobster survive out of water? In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive understanding of lobsters’ respiratory systems, addressing how lobsters breathe and survive both in water and in your home refrigerator.
Page Contents
Lobster Survival: Time Out of Water
The question of how long a lobster can survive out of water is a common one, particularly for those cooking, handling, and shipping live lobsters. Lobsters can survive outside of water for about 48 hours, but this is under ideal conditions like cool temperatures and high humidity. Keeping them cool and moist is important for their survival when they’re not in the water. Generally, a live lobster can survive 24 to 36 hours when stored in a refrigerator at temperatures between 36 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 2 to 7 degrees Celsius). A lobster’s hardiness, activity level, and overall health directly impact its survival rate.
Temperature
Temperature plays a vital role, as colder temperatures slow down the lobster’s metabolic rate, thus reducing its need for oxygen. Keeping lobsters cool and avoiding rapid fluctuations in temperature is essential for reducing stress responses. The optimal refrigeration temperature for live lobsters is between 32°F and 40°F (0°C and 4°C). It is crucial to avoid freezing the lobsters, as they freeze at approximately the same temperature as seawater (around 29°F or -1.7°C), which can cause cellular damage. It is important to minimize exposure to sub-freezing temperatures during transport.
Humidity
Humidity is another essential factor for lobster’s out-of-water survival. Keeping their gills from drying out is critical for their survival when they are not submerged. Lobsters rely on their gills for respiration, and these gills must remain moist to function effectively. Maintaining a high humidity level, ideally between 85% and 95%, is important. This is typically achieved by storing lobsters with damp newspaper or seaweed, mimicking their natural moist environment.
Hard-shell, Lively Lobster
Hard-shell, healthy lobsters can endure longer periods out of water compared to their soft-shell counterparts. A lobster’s hard shell significantly boosts its out-of-water survival through a combination of factors: its rigid structure minimizes moisture loss from its gills, which is crucial for respiration, and provides robust physical protection, reducing stress and injury. Furthermore, a healthy lobster possesses greater energy reserves, allowing it to withstand the physiological strain of being out of its cold seawater environment.
Find out why it is better to buy hardshell lobsters.
Safe Handling
Lobsters are relatively delicate crustaceans. How they are handled and transported outside of their natural habitat affects their ability to survive out of water. Never drop lobsters or handle them roughly. Never store or ship live lobster directly on ice. Fresh water from melted ice can cause osmotic shock, suffocation, and death.
Keep Lobsters Alive at Home
To ensure their freshness and survival, it’s important to refrigerate live lobster at about 40°F. This cold temperature helps to slow down the lobster’s metabolism, keeping it calm and sluggish. Store them in a breathable container on the bottom shelf of your refrigerator, which is usually the coldest. Ensure proper ventilation. Do not place them in a sealed plastic bag. And as you will read on, do not put them in freshwater.
If you received a shipment of live lobsters from Lobsteranywhere or purchased live lobsters at your local seafood market, you can review our guide on how to keep lobsters fresh and alive until you are ready to cook them.
It is generally recommended to cook lobsters on the day of their arrival.
Ideal Water for Maine Lobster
Lobsters must be stored in seawater at the ideal temperature, salinity, and pH. This must mimic the seawater Maine lobsters are caught in. Freshwater proves fatal to Maine lobsters.
Since they are cold-water crustaceans, Maine lobsters thrive in cold water at 50s Fahrenheit (around 10-15 degrees Celsius) with a high salinity range of 29 to 35 parts per thousand (ppt). Cold water holds more dissolved oxygen, which is essential for lobsters’ respiration. Higher oxygen levels are important since lobsters rely on their gills to extract oxygen from the seawater. These colder temperatures contribute to the lobster’s firm, sweet meat. Sudden temperature changes are harmful to lobsters.
Lobsters enjoy seawater with a near-neutral pH and rich in minerals, specifically calcium, magnesium, and iodine, for shell and overall health.
The cold, nutrient-rich Gulf of Maine, maintained by the Labrador Current, provides an ideal lobster habitat. However, driven by a warming Gulf of Maine, lobster populations are migrating north into deeper, colder regions.
| Parameter | Ideal Range/Value | Importance |
| Temperature | 50-55°F (10-13°C) | Optimal for growth, metabolism, and meat quality; cold temperatures increase dissolved oxygen. |
| Salinity | 29-35 ppt | Essential for osmotic balance; stable salinity prevents stress. |
| Dissolved Oxygen | High (near saturation) | Vital for respiration; cold water holds more dissolved oxygen. |
| pH | 8.1 (natural seawater) | Maintains proper physiological function; extreme pH levels are harmful. |
| Mineral Content | Abundant (especially Calcium) | Crucial for shell development and overall health. |
Can Lobsters Breathe Out of Water?
A lobster’s ability to breathe out of water is limited. While they can’t breathe air like we do, they can survive out of water for a short time if their gills stay moist. This is because they can absorb oxygen dissolved in the thin layer of water coating their gills. Keeping their gills moist is essential for their survival out of water.
Do Lobsters Have Gils?
Yes, lobsters do have gills, not lungs. Lobsters breathe underwater using ten gills hidden under their shell in the thorax (the area between the head and abdomen). These feathery filaments, called trichobranch gills, are designed to take oxygen from seawater and release carbon dioxide. For the gills to work properly, fresh water needs to constantly flow over them.
How Lobsters Breath
Lobsters need oxygen from water, just like we need it from air. Here’s how they keep fresh, oxygen-rich water flowing over those gills:
- Little Paddles: They have tiny leg-like things called swimmerets on their undersides that help push water toward their gills.
- Built-in Pump: They also have a special flap near their head, called a scaphognathite (think of it as a little fan), that beats really fast. This fan pushes used water out of the gill area.
- Fresh Water In: When that fan pushes the water out, it creates a flow that sucks fresh, oxygen-filled water into the gill area from openings at the bottom and back of its shell.
- Cleaning Time: Every so often, the lobster reverses the fan’s direction for a few beats. This helps wash away any dirt or sand that might have gotten stuck on their gills.
Lobster Shipping
Lobster shipping success hinges on minimizing stress and physical damage. Keep lobsters cool (35-45°F) with high humidity. Damp materials like seawater-soaked newsprint or seaweed maintain gill moisture and also provide cushioning. Proper packaging for live lobster transport is important in extending their out-of-water lifespan. Secure live lobsters in sturdy, insulated containers with gel packs for temperature control; never direct ice. Do not pack lobsters on freshwater ice or in airtight containers. Gentle handling is crucial; avoid dropping or crushing. Clear labeling with handling instructions ensures proper care throughout transit.
Conclusion
While lobsters can temporarily survive out of water, their dependence on their aquatic environment is undeniable. Their fascinating biology underscores the diversity and adaptability of marine life.
The question of whether lobsters have gills can be answered affirmatively. Lobsters possess a unique respiratory system that allows them to thrive underwater. Their gills, specifically designed to extract oxygen from water, are essential for their survival.
Understanding the fundamental aspects of lobster biology, including their survival capabilities outside their aquatic environment and their specific habitat requirements, is crucial for both conservation efforts and sustainable fishery management. If you want to learn more about lobsters, check out our blog for recipes, tips, and lobster guides.
Ready to indulge? Order fresh Maine lobster to your doorstep with overnight free shipping in the USA.
FAQS About Lobsters Out of Water
Do Lobsters have gills?
Yes, lobsters do have gills. They are located beneath their exoskeleton and are specially adapted to extract oxygen from water. This is an essential part of their respiratory system and crucial for underwater survival.
What is the best temperature to store lobsters in the refrigerator?
The ideal temperature to store lobsters in the refrigerator temperatures is between 36 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 2 to 7 degrees Celsius). To keep them colder, place them on the rear or lowest shelf.
What are the best water temperatures for lobsters in their natural marine habitat?
The ideal water temperatures for Maine lobsters fall between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 10 to 15 degrees Celsius).
Exposure to warmer temperatures, particularly above 65-68°F (around 18-20°C), can have detrimental effects on lobsters. This can lead to stress, compromised immune and respiratory systems, an increased susceptibility to shell disease, and reproduction difficulties.
References
Mazur, Mackenzie Dale, et al. “Dynamic Changes in American Lobster Suitable Habitat Distribution on the Northeast U.S. Shelf Linked to Oceanographic Conditions.” NOAA Institutional Repository, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, n.d.
“Respiratory System.” Lobster Anatomy: Understanding the Lingo and Parts of a Lobster, LobsterAnywhere.com, 16 Nov. 2023, https://lobsteranywhere.com/seafood-savvy/lobster-lingo/.
“Fun Facts About Luscious Lobsters | NOAA Fisheries.” NOAA Fisheries, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 12 Dec. 2024, https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/outreach-and-education/fun-facts-about-luscious-lobsters.
Greenhalgh, Emily. “Climate & Lobsters | NOAA Climate.gov.” NOAA Climate.gov, 6 Oct. 2016, https://www.climate.gov/news-features/climate-and/climate-lobsters.
Behan, Jamie, et al. “Examining Scale Dependent Environmental Effects on American Lobster (Homarus americanus) Spatial Distribution in a Changing Gulf of Maine.” NOAA Institutional Repository, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7 July 2021,(https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/47880/noaa_47880_DS1.pdf).
Butler, Mark J., IV. “Collecting and Processing Lobsters.” Journal of Crustacean Biology, vol. 37, no. 3, Oxford Academic, 1 May 2017, pp. 340–43, https://academic.oup.com/jcb/article/37/3/340/3111837.
Wilder, D. G. “Holding Live Lobsters in Aerated Artificial Sea Water.” Canada.ca, Fisheries Research Board of Canada, Jan. 1953, https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/36708.pdf.
“Shellfish Respiration.” basu.org.in, n.d.,(https://www.basu.org.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Shellfish-respiration.pdf).
McLeese, D. W. “Survival of Lobsters, Homarus americanus, out of Water.” ResearchGate, Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada, Apr. 2011,(https://www.researchgate.net/publication/237177460_Survival_of_Lobsters_Homarus_americanus_out_of_Water).
“Holding Live Lobsters in Aerated Artificial Sea Water – Canada.ca.” Canada.ca, Fisheries Research Board of Canada, Jan. 1953, https://waves-vagues.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/36708.pdf.
Lindblade, Shelly. “The Secret Behind Maine’s Great Lobsters – Spectrum News.” Spectrum Local News, 9 Aug. 2021, https://spectrumlocalnews.com/me/maine/weather/2021/07/22/maine-cold-water-lobsters.
Dorant, Yann, et al. “Landscape Genomics of the American Lobster (Homarus americanus).” PMC, Molecular Ecology, 27 Aug. 2022, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9805075/.