You’ve probably seen the viral photos. A fisherman in Maine or Nova Scotia holds up a crustacean so vibrant it looks like it was dipped in neon blueberry paint. It’s striking. It’s rare. Your first thought, naturally, is: "That has to be worth a fortune." Everyone wants to know how much are blue lobsters when they see something that looks like a glitch in the Matrix.
But here is the weird truth. If you walked into a high-end seafood market hoping to flip one for the price of a used Honda, you’d be disappointed.
Most people assume rarity equals a massive payday. In the world of Homarus americanus, the North Atlantic lobster, the "one-in-two-million" statistic is the gold standard for blue shells. Yet, the price tag isn't as straightforward as a diamond or a rare Pokémon card. It’s a mix of biology, museum demand, and the surprisingly sentimental heart of the fishing community.
Why are they even blue?
It isn't magic. It's genetics. Specifically, it is a genetic mutation that causes the lobster to produce an excessive amount of a particular protein. This protein wraps around a red carotenoid molecule called astaxanthin. Normally, this creates the dull brownish-green color we see on the ocean floor. But when the protein goes into overdrive? You get that electric, sapphire blue.
It’s a disadvantage, honestly. Imagine trying to hide from a hungry seal while wearing a neon sign. That’s why we don’t see more of them. They get eaten before they can grow up.
The actual market value: How much are blue lobsters?
If you want a hard number, here it is: The market price for a blue lobster is often exactly the same as a regular brown one—roughly $10 to $15 per pound.
Wait. That's it?
Yeah. Mostly. If a fisherman catches a blue lobster and tosses it into the crate with the others, it goes to the wholesaler. The wholesaler sells it to the restaurant. The restaurant boils it. And here’s the kicker—blue lobsters turn bright red when cooked, just like every other lobster. The blue pigment, crustacyanin, breaks down under heat. Once it’s on a dinner plate with a side of drawn butter, the "one-in-two-million" rarity is invisible. No chef is going to pay $500 for a lobster that looks identical to a $30 one by the time the customer sees it.
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However, the "private" market is a different story.
Occasionally, an aquarium or a private collector might offer a "finder's fee" to a fisherman. This can range from $100 to $500, depending on the size and the vibrancy of the blue. But even then, it’s rarely a commercial transaction. It’s more of a donation to science or a local attraction.
The unwritten code of the blue lobster
Fishermen are superstitious. They're also surprisingly soft-hearted when it comes to the "freaks" of the sea. When you ask a veteran Maine lobsterman how much are blue lobsters worth to them, the answer is usually "good luck."
Many captains refuse to sell them.
- The Release: It’s a common tradition to snap a photo, maybe call the local news, and then toss the blue lobster back into the ocean. It's seen as a tribute to the sea.
- The Donation: Many end up in tanks at the Maine State Aquarium or the New England Aquarium. In these cases, the "price" is usually just a tax write-off or a plaque with the fisherman's name on it.
- The Pet Status: Some restaurants that accidentally receive one in a shipment will keep it in a separate tank as a mascot. People come in to see "Old Blue," which brings in more foot traffic than eating the lobster ever would.
Comparing the blue to other "shiny" lobsters
If you think blue is rare, there are other colors that actually do fetch higher interest (if not higher prices).
The "Split-Colored" lobster—half brown, half blue or orange, perfectly divided down the middle—is a one-in-50-million find. Then there’s the "Calico," which looks like it has leopard print. But the holy grail? The "Ghost" or Albino lobster. That’s a one-in-100-million occurrence.
Even with these astronomical odds, the commercial fishing industry isn't set up for "luxury shells." There is no Sotheby’s for crustaceans.
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Can you buy one for your home aquarium?
This is where the price starts to climb. If you are a hobbyist with a cold-water saltwater setup, you might find a blue lobster for sale through specialty exotic pet dealers.
Expect to pay between $400 and $800 plus specialized overnight shipping in a temperature-controlled crate. Keeping them alive is the real expense. You need a chiller to keep the water between 40°F and 50°F. If the water gets too warm, the lobster’s metabolism spikes, it gets stressed, and it dies.
It’s an expensive hobby for a creature that spends 90% of its time hiding under a rock.
The impact of social media on "value"
In 2026, the value of a blue lobster isn't in the meat. It's in the clout.
A video of a blue lobster being pulled from a trap can generate millions of views on TikTok or Instagram. For a commercial fishing boat, that exposure is worth significantly more than the $15 market price of the lobster itself. It builds a brand. It sells hoodies with the boat’s logo on them.
So, when we ask how much are blue lobsters, we have to factor in the digital economy. A blue lobster is a marketing goldmine for a small-town fishing business. It puts them on the map. It makes them the "lucky" boat.
Misconceptions about the "Blue" price tag
You’ll often see clickbait headlines claiming a blue lobster sold for $5,000. These are almost always misleading. Usually, that figure refers to a charity auction or a bundle deal where the lobster was part of a larger publicity event.
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There is no legitimate commodity market where blue lobsters are traded at a premium. If you find one in your grocery store tank (it happens!), you can usually buy it for the standard price per pound. The cashier likely won't even notice.
What to do if you catch (or find) one
If you happen to be on a boat or at a pier and a blue lobster appears, you have three real options:
- Check with local aquariums: They are almost always interested in display specimens, especially if the color is particularly vivid.
- Contact a university: Marine biology departments, like those at the University of Maine, often study these mutations to better understand crustacean genetics.
- Put it back: This is the most "authentic" Maine experience. Taking a video of the release often yields more personal satisfaction (and "likes") than trying to find a buyer for a $12 piece of seafood.
Taking the next steps
If you are genuinely looking to acquire a blue lobster for display or study, do not go to a fish market. Start by contacting wholesalers in Gloucester, Massachusetts or Portland, Maine. Ask to be put on a "call list" for rare shell colors.
Be prepared to act fast. These animals require high oxygen levels and cold water to survive the stress of being handled. You’ll need a cycled, chilled tank ready to go before you even make the phone call.
Most importantly, remember that the "value" is in the eye of the beholder. To a hungry predator, it's just a brightly colored snack. To a scientist, it's a genetic marvel. And to a fisherman, it's a rare gift from the Atlantic that is usually better off staying in the water.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts:
- Research cold-water filtration: If you plan on housing a lobster, you'll need a chiller capable of maintaining temperatures below 55°F.
- Visit the Maine State Aquarium: They frequently host rare-colored lobsters and provide the best educational resources on shell mutations.
- Monitor local landings: Follow "Lobstering" tags on social media during peak season (late summer/fall) to see where these rare catches are appearing in real-time.