🦞 Shellfish Check-In: Why Health on Arrival Matters

When it comes to holding live shellfish in a recirculating system like the Lobster Pod, success starts at the very beginning — with the condition of your stock when it arrives.

No matter how advanced your system is, it can’t reverse damage already done to weak or injured shellfish. In fact, adding unhealthy animals to a system can do more harm than good, introducing risk to otherwise healthy stock and potentially destabilising your water quality.

Start Strong: Assessing Incoming Shellfish

It’s not always practical to examine every single lobster in a large delivery — but taking the time to visually check for signs of weakness or recent injury is a vital part of good husbandry.

Here’s what to watch for:

• Lost limbs: A lobster missing claws or legs isn’t always a cause for concern — they can regrow over time if held in the right conditions. But fresh limb loss, indicated by clean breaks or raw areas, is a sign of recent trauma and leaves the animal vulnerable.
• Turgor and movement: A healthy lobster will respond to touch, move its claws and legs, and hold its body with strength. If it’s limp or unresponsive, it may already be too weak for recovery.
• Tail condition: Examine the underside of the tail. Cotton-wool-like whiteness around the joints could indicate muscle fibre damage — another red flag for storage viability.
• Antennae damage: Damaged antennae aren’t uncommon, but monitor those lobsters closely to make sure they’re recovering and not declining.

If you identify weaker lobsters, consider placing them in a separate tray in your Lobster Pod where you can monitor them without putting your main stock at risk.

Beware of Salinity Shock

One of the most common — and preventable — causes of overnight mortality in newly received shellfish is salinity mismatch. If lobsters are moved from a lower salinity environment into your system without adjustment, the stress can prove fatal.

A tell-tale sign of salinity shock is swelling at the joint between the head and tail, often seen in post-mortem checks.

To reduce this risk:

• Always ask suppliers (especially overseas exporters) what salinity the lobsters were held at. Canadian and American exporters may hold at 28 ppt, while your system may run between 32–35 ppt.
• Adjust your system or slowly acclimate stock to avoid sudden changes.

Prevention Is Power

Shellfish health starts long before filtration and water parameters take over. A few simple checks at the point of arrival can improve survival, reduce system strain, and protect your investment.

Your Lobster Pod can support recovery and regrowth — but only if the animals are stable to begin with. Know what to look for, and you’ll get the best results from your system and your stock.

Contact Dr Keith Todd on Tel No +44 1383 820685 or email hello@toddfishtech.com for more information and find out how he could help you with your shellfish business.