Around 10°C is a happy medium for lobster holding
Temperature is an important part of keeping live lobsters healthy but it also affects how efficiently your biological filter works. In our Lobster Pods we recommend holding lobsters between 8°C and 12°C with around 10°C being a happy medium for most systems.
In the short video above our marine biologist Laura explains why we use this temperature range and why colder isn’t necessarily better when you’re holding live shellfish.
Why do we recommend 8–12°C for lobster tanks?
The right temperature needs to work for both the lobsters and the filtration system
When we’re deciding on a holding temperature we’re not only thinking about the lobsters. We’re also thinking about the beneficial bacteria living within the biological filter which help to process the waste produced by the shellfish.
The bacteria actually work more efficiently at warmer temperatures and Laura explains in the video that they function best at around 18°C. That’s a wee bit warm for your lobsters though so we need to find a sensible balance between keeping the shellfish healthy and allowing the biological filtration to work efficiently.
Is colder water better for holding lobsters?
Chilling the water further isn’t necessarily better
It can be tempting to think that if cool water is good for holding lobsters then colder water must be even better but that’s not the case. Chilling water to much lower temperatures uses more energy and the colder water also reduces the efficiency of the bacteria in your biological filter.
Around 10°C gives us that happy medium. It keeps the water at a suitable temperature for the lobsters without unnecessarily chilling it and allows the biological filter to do its job.
What temperature should you use when maturing a new biological filter?
We recommend around 12°C while your new filter is maturing
When you’re first maturing the biological filter in a Lobster Pod we recommend running the system at around 12°C. The slightly warmer temperature helps the beneficial bacteria while the biological filter becomes established.
Once the filter has matured the temperature can be adjusted to suit the shellfish you’re holding.
What if you’re holding langoustines as well as lobsters?
Langoustines are the exception and prefer around 8°C
If you’re holding langoustines the advice is slightly different as we recommend keeping them at around 8°C. If you have a mixture of species in your Lobster Pod and that includes langoustines we recommend keeping the whole system at 8°C.
We’ll look at temperature for langoustines in a separate Todd’s Top Tip.
What is the best temperature for a Lobster Pod?
For most lobster holding systems aim for around 10°C
For everyday lobster holdin around 10°C is a good starting point. It sits comfortably within our recommended 8–12°C range and gives you a sensible balance between the needs of the lobsters, your biological filtration and the energy needed to keep the water cool.
Need help with your lobster holding system?
We’re always happy to help with water quality and system management
Todd Fish Tech has been designing and manufacturing live shellfish holding systems in the UK since 1998. If you’re an existing customer and want more advice on operating your Lobster Pod, please get in touch. If you’re considering lobster tanks for your business we’d be happy to help you work out the right setup too.
Best Fishes,
Errin
Last updated September 2026
