How Long Will Fresh Lobster Keep on Ice?

Live lobsters can stay for up to 48 hours on ice, but they are best if consumed the same day they are placed on ice.

On Land Survival

Lobsters' intricate gills allow them to take oxygen from the air as well as the water. To operate effectively the gills must be cool and damp. When out of water the lobster takes nutrients from an energy reserve called the hepatopancreas (the digestive gland). These survival tactics help the lobster live out of water for many hours.

What to Do

Handle the lobster with care and pick it up by the body. Make sure the icy environment is kept between 32 and 40 degrees F at 100 percent humidity. Give the lobster some breathing room in the container; airtight conditions can lead to carbon dioxide buildup and suffocate the lobster.

What Not to Do

Never place the lobster in water or saltwater. A lobster placed in fresh water will swell and explode, and a lobster in saltwater will quickly use up the oxygen in the tank without proper aeration. Make sure the ice does not fall below 29 degrees F, or the lobster will freeze. Avoid taking the lobster from warm to cool temperatures; this places undue stress on its anatomy.

References

• Clearwater: Live Lobster
• Affluent Tastes: Live Lobster Varieties & Buying Tips
• Commercial Fisheries News: Shipping Live Lobsters