ABOUT LOBSTERS 103 



If the coils of the refrigeration unit are copper, they 

 can be coated with plastic paint, but plastic is a poor con- 

 ductor of heat. A black colored plastic is preferable to the 

 semi-transparent variety, since the latter allows the growth 

 of algae. Stainless steel is the best, but it should be free 

 from copper. Some brands are not. 



As to size, the general rule in Denmark is that 22 

 pounds of lobster require 26 to 40 gallons of storage water. 

 The Maine recommendation is that 2 gallons of water be 

 allowed for each pound of lobsters. 



Every tank should have a drainage plug. Lobsters will 

 not live long if their water ceases to circulate, but they will 

 live in the air so long as the tissue of their lungs is kept 

 moist, and they are cool enough (about two weeks). In 

 case of failure of the circulating pump, the tank must be 

 drained at once. 



Summary 



The Danish article sums up by stating that the correct 

 " artificial sea water can fully replace natural sea water." 

 The conclusions of the Maine tests are: 



1. That lobsters were able to live in recirculated 

 natural sea water for a period of seven days without any 

 appreciable mortality, and for fourteen days with very 

 little mortality. 



2. That with the addition of fresh lobsters this 

 cycle could be repeated using the same water for a 

 year's time, provided that the specific gravity was kept 

 constant. 



3. That artificial sea water compared very favorably 

 with natural sea water under the conditions of the ex- 

 periment. 



4. That within the limits already stated, it is feasi- 

 ble to handle lobsters commercially in such a system. 



Notice that an artificial sea water solution being the 

 equal of actual sea water does not mean that lobsters will 



