Prawns and shrimp are two of the most popular types of seafood around the world. They are closely related crustaceans that look very similar at first glance. However there are some key differences between prawns and shrimp that you should know about.
In this comprehensive guide we will cover everything you need to know to tell prawns and shrimp apart, including
- The taxonomy and biology of prawns vs shrimp
- How to tell them apart visually
- Differences in size and taste
- Where each is caught and farmed
- How they are labeled and sold
- Recipes and cooking tips
So let’s dive in and get to the bottom of the prawn vs shrimp debate!
Taxonomy and Biology
Prawns and shrimp belong to different suborders of the decapod order of crustaceans. Here is how they break down taxonomically:
- Prawns belong to the suborder Dendrobranchiata
- Shrimp belong to the suborder Pleocyemata
So while they are closely related organisms, they have evolved differently over time. Some key biological differences include:
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Gills: Prawns have branching gills, while shrimp have lamellar (plate-like) gills.
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Body shape: Prawns have body segments that overlap down the abdomen, giving them a straight body shape. Shrimp segments overlap the front and back, giving them a curl.
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Legs and pincers: Prawns have claws on 3 pairs of legs and their biggest pincers are on the 2nd pair. Shrimp have claws on 2 pairs of legs and their largest pincers are on the 1st pair.
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Reproduction: Female shrimp carry eggs under their tails. Prawns release eggs into the water to hatch.
So in terms of anatomy, there are definitely some clear distinctions between prawns and shrimp species.
How to Tell Them Apart Visually
Because prawns and shrimp look so similar, it can be tricky for the average consumer to tell them apart at first glance. Here are some tips for visual identification when buying prawns vs shrimp:
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Curl vs straight shape: As mentioned above, shrimp have a curl to their tails, while prawn tails remain straight.
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Color: Shrimp are often pinkish in color, while prawns appear more transparent and grey.
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Legs and pincers: Examine the legs and pincers to see if the biggest claws are on the 1st or 2nd pair of legs.
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Rostrum: This is the spike that projects from the heads. Shrimp have shorter rostrums while prawn rostrums are longer.
Once they are shelled, it becomes even harder to distinguish between prawns and shrimp visually. At that point, you’ll have to go by the size and source information on the packaging.
Differences in Size
On average, prawns are larger than shrimp. Jumbo shrimp may reach 8-12 cm, while large prawns can be 20 cm long from head to tail.
However, there is overlap in size between the two:
- Very large shrimp species like tiger prawns can be bigger than smaller prawn varieties.
- Some prawn species like Ghost/Glass prawns are quite small.
So size alone is not the best way to identify prawns vs shrimp. It’s better to look at the visual differences in anatomy.
Taste and Texture
While prawns and shrimp come from different families, their taste and texture when cooked are quite similar. Both have a delicate, sweet and mildly briny flavor.
When it comes to texture, shrimp are often a bit firmer, while prawns are softer and more tender. But there is variation within each species as well.
Some factors that affect the eating quality include:
- Fresh vs frozen
- Wild caught vs farmed
- Cooking method
In general, fresh shrimp and prawns will taste sweeter and have a nicer “bite” when cooked. Wild caught varieties also often taste better than farmed.
Where Each Is Caught and Farmed
Another difference between shrimp and prawns lies in their natural habitats and breeding grounds.
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Shrimp are predominantly found in saltwater environments like the ocean. Major shrimp fishing areas include the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.
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Prawns thrive in freshwater lakes, rivers, and estuaries. They are farmed extensively in Asia and South America.
There are some exceptions to this. Some prawn species live in brackish water (mix of salt and fresh). And a few shrimp species can thrive in freshwater.
But in general, think shrimp = ocean, prawns = freshwater.
How They Are Labeled and Sold
To make things even more confusing, the naming and labeling of shrimp vs prawns is inconsistent when they are sold commercially:
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In the United Kingdom, both types are generally referred to as “prawns”.
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In the US, the terms are used interchangeably at times. “Shrimp” is more common on packaging.
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Some species are called “shrimp” when young and “prawns” when larger. For example, Whiteleg shrimp are juveniles that mature into King prawns.
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Other names like “jumbo shrimp” and “giant prawns” are primarily marketing terms and don’t necessarily indicate if they are biologically shrimp or prawns.
Your best bet is to look for species information on seafood packaging, rather than relying solely on broad terms like “shrimp” or “prawns”. Common shrimp species you may see include Black Tiger shrimp, Whiteleg shrimp, and Pink shrimp. For prawns, Giant river prawns, Giant tiger prawns, and Spot prawns are some examples.
The country of origin is also helpful, since most warm water shrimp comes from the Americas and Asia, while prawns are farmed more extensively in Asia and Australia.
Recipes and Cooking Tips
Since shrimp and prawns have such similar flavor and texture, they can be used interchangeably in recipes without issue.
Some popular dishes that work well with both include:
- Garlic butter shrimp or prawns
- Coconut shrimp or prawns
- Shrimp or prawn salad
- Shrimp or prawn fried rice
- Shrimp or prawn pasta
The cooking time is essentially the same, just adjust the quantity based on the size of the shrimp or prawns. Go by the weight or number per pound listed on the packaging.
A good rule of thumb is:
- Medium shrimp/prawns: Cook for 2-3 minutes per side
- Jumbo shrimp/prawns: Cook for 3-4 minutes per side
The high heat and quick cooking time helps maintain the juicy texture of shrimp and prawns. Avoid overcooking them.
The Bottom Line
While the names are used interchangeably at times, shrimp and prawns are biologically different crustaceans. Prawns have branching gills, three pairs of clawed legs, longer rostrums, and spawn in open water. Shrimp have plate-like gills, two pairs of clawed legs, shorter rostrums, and carry eggs before hatching. But when it comes to taste, texture and use in recipes, shrimp and prawns can generally be swapped 1:1. Just be sure to adjust cooking times and quantities based on the size.
So next time you’re cooking up one of these tasty crustaceans, you can wow your guests with your newfound shrimp vs prawn expertise!
Frequency of Entities:
Shrimp: 54
Prawn: 60
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Size and Taste
In most cases, shrimp are smaller than prawns. You shouldn’t use this as the only way to tell the difference between the two, though, because some large shrimp are bigger than a normal prawn.
Taste is also not a way of telling the two crustaceans apart. There are different types of shrimp and prawns that taste and feel different, but those differences don’t fall along “shrimp” and “prawn” lines. In short, shrimp and prawns are different, but their tastes are the same, so you can use either one in a recipe.
Shrimp and Prawn Anatomies
There are a few parts of these crustaceans that help tell them apart, though some may not stand out as much as others. These shellfish have different kinds of gills. Shrimp have gills that look like plates, while prawns have gills that are branching out. When it comes to their bodies, shrimp have a side plate that covers segments in front and behind, while prawns’ side plates cover each other like tiles from front to back. The structure of their bodies changes their shape. If the body curls, you know it’s a shrimp and not a prawn. The prawn’s outer shell doesn’t let it bend at all, so the animal is mostly straight. Shrimp, as we know, have a tight curl to them.
Examining their legs will also help you decipher the two. Shrimps front pincers are the largest and they have claws on two pairs of the legs. Prawns, on the other hand, have claws on three sets of legs and their biggest pincers on the second set of legs. Another difference between shrimp and prawns is that prawns drop their fertilized eggs into the water, while shrimp carry their eggs on the underside of their bodies under their tails.
Top 5 Differences between Shrimps and Prawns-Shrimp and Prawn Difference-Difference Video#2
Are prawns the same as shrimp?
Despite being used interchangeably in much of the English-speaking world, prawns and shrimp are not the same thing. It’s commonly believed that the term “prawns” is just another way of saying large shrimp — but this couldn’t be further from the truth. While prawns are often larger than shrimp, their differences go much further.
Prawn vs Shrimp: Which is healthier?
There are no differences between the nutritional benefits between prawns and shrimp. They provide you a good source of protein, healthy fats and vitamins and minerals and yet low in calories. Prawns are good source of protein and provide some of most important nutrients that is vitamins and minerals that make up a healthy diet.
Do prawns have longer legs than shrimp?
Prawns have longer legs than shrimp. Eggs: Shrimp carry their fertilized eggs on the underside of their bodies, while prawns release their eggs into the water. You can use prawns and shrimp interchangeably in cooking, but the flavors may differ depending on breed and if freshly caught, farmed, or previously frozen.
Do shrimp and prawns have different anatomies?
Prawns and shrimp have different anatomies. Because they don’t belong to the same suborder, there are a number of anatomical differences between the two. Prawns are unable to bend their bodies in the way that shrimp can because each segment of their shell overlaps the segment below it, kind of like a tile.