“Cockroaches of the sea” is an expression of unknown origin that traditionally refers to lobsters. Bottom-feeding crustaceans, like blue American lobsters, have been a mainstay of North American cuisine for a long time. They taste great and are good for you without adding extra calories. Lobsters werent always the exquisite delicacy of five-star restaurants, though, and were once as common as cockroaches. Nowadays, “cockroaches of the sea” has come to represent a variety of creatures from the ocean.
Cockroaches and lobsters belong to the same phylum: Arthropoda. Arthropods are invertebrates with exoskeletons, segmented bodies and jointed appendages. Most arthropods lay eggs and experience some form of metamorphosis. Phylum Arthropoda contains more species than all of the other phyla combined. Lobsters may look like cockroaches and crabs may look like spiders, but appearances are deceiving.
Shrimp and roaches – two creatures that elicit very different reactions from most people. Shrimp are a popular seafood, while roaches are despised as pests. Yet shrimp are often referred to as “the roaches of the sea.” Is this an apt comparison or just an unfair association? Let’s take a closer look.
The Origin Of The Nickname
The notion that shrimp are like roaches likely stems from some key similarities in their appearance and lifestyle
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Exoskeleton – Both shrimp and roaches have hard external skeletons This protective armor makes them difficult to crush
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Abundance – Shrimp and roaches are both found in high numbers. There are over 2,000 species of roaches and penaeid shrimp alone number over 300.
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Legs – They have many legs. Shrimp have 5 pairs while roaches have 3 pairs. The numerous legs look similar.
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Antennae – Long, segmented antennae are another physical trait they share. The shrimp and roach antennae allow them to sense their environment.
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Scavenging – They are omnivores and opportunistic eaters. Both roaches and shrimp will scavenge for dead plant and animal matter to eat.
Given these common attributes, it’s easy to see why shrimp garnered the “sea roach” comparison. Both creatures are hardy survivors owing to their protective shells, high numbers, similar body design and feeding habits.
Key Differences Between Shrimp And Roaches
However, there are also marked differences between shrimp and roaches that highlight why they are separate aquatic and terrestrial creatures respectively:
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Taxonomy – Roaches are insects belonging to the Blattodea order while shrimp are crustaceans belonging to Decapoda. They are not closely related.
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Habitats – Shrimp live in marine habitats like oceans, estuaries and salt marshes while roaches thrive on land in humid tropical climates.
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Size – Shrimp are much larger, growing up to 15 inches long like the giant tiger prawn. Roaches have an average length under 2 inches.
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Life Span – Shrimp live 1-5 years on average depending on species. Roaches enjoy 2-10 years.
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Number of legs – Shrimp have 10 legs and roaches just 6. The extra legs aid shrimp swimming.
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Respiration – Shrimp utilize gills to extract oxygen from water to breathe while roaches have spiracles and trachea for air breathing.
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Temperature – As cold-blooded creatures, shrimp and roaches differ in preferred temperature ranges owing to their environments.
So while they share some superficial similarities, shrimp and roaches belong to completely different animal classes and have adapted to life in the sea versus on land. One is a culinary delicacy and the other a reviled pest.
Why The Nickname Persists
The “sea roach” moniker for shrimp persists because:
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Visceral response – For those disturbed by the look of roaches, shrimp may prompt a similar queasiness based on appearance alone. The initial impression is key.
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Environmental concern – Shrimp farms and shrimping practices like trawling have caused environmental damage. Roaches represent filth to most people.
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Pop culture portrayals – Movies and TV shows often use the shrimp-roach comparison for comedic effect or to signal unsanitary conditions. The association sticks.
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Marketing ploy – Calling shrimp “sea roaches” or “ocean cockroaches” is an attention-grabbing tactic used by some sustainable seafood advocates and vegan groups.
While rational analysis shows clear biological differences between shrimp and roaches, first impressions and cultural portrayals have cemented the sea roach nickname in many people’s minds. However, it’s an undeserved branding for a marine creature very distinct from its land-dwelling lookalike.
Do Shrimp And Roaches Play Similar Ecological Roles?
Since they inhabit such different domains, shrimp and roaches do not play the exact same ecological roles. However, they do share some broad traits as scavengers:
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Break down detritus – As omnivores, both shrimp and roaches will consume detritus (decaying organic matter) and aid its decomposition.
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Nutrient recycling – Their consumption and excretion of detritus enables nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus to be recycled in aquatic and terrestrial food chains.
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Prey availability – Through scavenging, shrimp indirectly supplement food sources for larger predators. Roaches also represent food for small mammals, amphibians and reptiles.
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Adaptability – Both have evolved as highly adaptable opportunistic feeders, enabling them to thrive in diverse environments and situations.
So while shrimp and roaches are not ecological analogs, they can have analogous impacts through their ubiquitous scavenging in their respective domains. This flexible dietary strategy has served both well from an evolutionary standpoint.
Perceptions Vs. Reality
The common perception of shrimp being like roaches of the sea comes more from superficial impressions than actual biological similarities. While they share some attributes, shrimp and roaches belong to completely different taxonomic classes adapted to life in water versus on land.
Beyond appearance, their key traits, physiology, habitats and life spans are quite distinct. However, the popular tendency to negatively stereotype crustaceans as mere “sea insects” or “ocean bugs” persists in many people’s minds.
Looking past the knee-jerk reactions, shrimp have far more in common biologically with lobsters than roaches. Hopefully this deeper dive dispels some myths and misunderstandings around one of the ocean’s most successful creatures. Shrimp are unique crustaceans in their own right, not just marine versions of a terrestrial pest.
The Takeaway
Shrimp may bear a passing resemblance to roaches, but they are actually very different creatures. Habitat, anatomy, size and life span set them far apart. While they do share some scavenging similarities, shrimp are not simply “sea roaches.” So next time you enjoy perfectly cooked shrimp, feel confident they are not just underwater bugs! With better understanding of their biological uniqueness, the unfair roach comparison should no longer persist.
History of the Lobster
In the late 19th century, lobsters began to turn their bad around. Native Americans used to use these sea bugs as bait and fertilizer, as well as nourishment. In the 1600s, lobsters were easy to catch because they washed up on shore. They were also cheap and a good source of protein for poor people. As lobsters piled up, prices dropped and prisoners, servants and slaves begged for different fare. June 15 is national lobster day, proving how far the bug has come. Native Americans wrapped lobsters in seaweed and cooked them over hot coals. Now the crustacean is chopped into special sauces and smeared onto hot dog rolls for $12 a pop.
Many words have become synonymous with the cockroach: pest, nuisance, invasive, dirty, rampant. Hot places are full of cockroaches, which can be found under beds, behind walls, and in drains. They are usually not a pleasant sight. In the past, lobsters were defined as scavengers, like cockroaches, of garbage and dead animal remains. Lobsters live on the ocean floor, eating a variety of fresh seafood, including crabs, clams and mussels. Cockroaches and lobsters do share the cannibal gene when times are scarce.
Are Crabs, Shrimp and Lobster Underwater BUGS?
Why are shrimp called cockroaches of the sea?
Shrimp are called cockroaches of the sea because they have many similarities with cockroaches. Shrimp and cockroaches have similar eating habits, are both cold-blooded, share common behavioral traits, and are both scavengers. Let’s dive into the key similarities and differences between cockroaches and shrimp. Are Shrimp Related To Cockroaches? Yes!
Are shrimps related to roaches?
Shrimps are also known as “ Cockroaches of the Sea ,” which immediately makes one wonder if they are related to roaches. Although they belong to the same phylum, Arthropoda, apart from a few mutual behavioral tendencies, share nothing in common.
Are cockroaches the shrimp of the land?
Luckily, there exists a group of animals with the exact same desirable farming qualities as shrimp, but with none of the hassle that comes with breathing water… but it may gross out some Americans. Shrimp may be the cockroaches of the sea, but cockroaches (and other insects) have the potential to be the shrimp of the land!
Are shrimp and cockroaches the same thing?
This relatively recent scientific consensus means that insects are, quite literally, the land-dwelling cousins of crustaceans! Shrimp may have learned to swim, but they’ll still be at the cockroach’s family reunion. If shrimp and cockroaches really are so similar, then why is one feared and shunned while the other is a seafood favorite?