Short Answer
They are the same species.
“Boston lobster” and “Canadian lobster” both refer to the American lobster (Homarus americanus). The difference is usually where the lobster is caught, landed, or marketed, not the species itself.
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- Are They Different Species?
它们是不同品种吗？
No.
Both are:
- Scientific name: Homarus americanus
- Also called:
- * American Lobster
- * Maine Lobster
- * Boston Lobster
- * Canadian Lobster (market name)
The different names mainly reflect geography and marketing.
不是。
两者都属于美洲龙虾（Homarus americanus）。
“波士顿龙虾”、“加拿大龙虾”、“缅因龙虾”本质上都是同一种龙虾，只是市场名称不同。
⸻ 加拿大龙虾主要来自：
- 新斯科舍省
- 新不伦瑞克省
- 爱德华王子岛
- 纽芬兰等
波士顿龙虾通常来自：
- 缅因州
- 马萨诸塞州（波士顿）
- 新英格兰沿海
实际上，两国共享同一片北大西洋海域。
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- Does the Taste Differ?
味道有区别吗？
Generally, very little.
Flavor is influenced more by:
- Water temperature
- Molting stage
- Freshness
- Size
- Handling after harvest
than by whether the lobster came from Canada or the United States.
如果捕捞季节、规格和鲜度相近，大多数消费者几乎尝不出明显区别。
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- Why Is “Boston Lobster” So Famous?
为什么“波士顿龙虾”更有名？
Historically:
- Boston was a major seafood trading port.
- Many lobsters exported through Boston entered Asian markets under the name “Boston Lobster.”
- The name became widely recognized in China and other parts of Asia.
Today, many lobsters sold as “Boston lobster” may actually have been harvested in Canadian waters.
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- Which One Is Better?
哪个更好？
Neither is inherently better.
Quality depends on:
- Freshness
- Size
- Shell condition (hard-shell vs. soft-shell)
- Proper cold-chain handling
- Cooking technique
A well-handled Canadian lobster can be superior to a poorly handled “Boston lobster,” and vice versa.
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Conclusion
总结
Canadian lobster and Boston lobster are the same species—American lobster (Homarus americanus).
The names mainly indicate different geographic origins or marketing terms, not differences in species or quality. For consumers, freshness, handling, and cooking have a much greater impact on taste than whether the lobster is labeled “Canadian” or “Boston.”
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SeafoodWiki Key Takeaway
中文： 加拿大龙虾和波士顿龙虾并不是两种不同的龙虾，它们都属于美洲龙虾（Homarus americanus）。“波士顿龙虾”更多是历史形成的市场名称，而”加拿大龙虾”则强调捕捞产地。购买时，与其关注名称，不如关注鲜度、规格、是否硬壳以及冷链品质。
English: Canadian lobster and Boston lobster are the same species—the American lobster (Homarus americanus). The names primarily reflect origin or marketing, not biological differences. When choosing a lobster, focus on freshness, shell quality, size, and handling rather than the label alone.