For langoustines we recommend keeping the water at 8°C
Langoustines prefer colder water than lobsters and at Todd Fish Tech we recommend keeping the seawater in your langoustine holding system at around 8°C. Maintaining a consistent temperature is important for keeping your langoustines healthy while they’re being held before sale.
Why is water temperature important when holding langoustines?
Water temperature affects both the health of your shellfish and the efficiency of the biological filtration system. Langoustines are particularly sensitive to warmer water so it’s important to monitor the temperature regularly and avoid fluctuations.
Can you hold langoustines and lobsters in the same tank?
Yes and no. Langoustines and lobsters can be held in the same Lobster Pod provided the holding conditions are suitable for both species. One of the benefits of the Lobster Pod is that each species can be held in separate trays making it ideal for customers who catch and hold several species.
If you’re using a conventional tank however it’s best to hold only one species to prevent predation and potential water quality problems.
For lobsters and crabs we normally recommend a water temperature between 8°C and 12°C with around 10°C being a happy medium. If you’re holding langoustines alongside other crustaceans we recommend keeping the system at 8°C to accommodate their preference for colder water.
How does water temperature affect biological filtration?
Temperature doesn’t just affect the shellfish. It also affects the bacteria in the biological filter which convert ammonia into nitrite and then nitrate.
These bacteria work more efficiently in warmer water. Around 18°C is a good temperature for the filter bacteria but that’s much too warm for holding live lobsters and langoustines.
This means there’s a balance between providing suitable conditions for the shellfish and maintaining an effective biological filtration system.
At Todd Fish Tech we normally recommend around 12°C when maturing a new biological filter before introducing shellfish. Once the filter is mature the system can be brought to the appropriate holding temperature for the species being kept.
Why not keep the water even colder?
Although langoustines prefer colder water there are practical considerations when chilling seawater in a commercial holding system.
The colder you keep the water the more energy is required for chilling. Lower temperatures also reduce the activity of the beneficial bacteria in the biological filter.
Keeping the water at around 8°C provides a happy medium between the needs of the langoustines, the biological filtration system and the running costs of chilling the water.
Last updated October 2026
