Food Stories #1: Difference between shrimps and prawns

Often happens that shrimps and prawns are used as synonyms, such as they were actually the same species. Actually they are different crustaceans, and the differences are not only related to dimensions.

So, let's see the the main ones with the help of the above image:

1. Different animals: they are both Decapod crustaceans, so they both have ten legs and external skeletons. However they belong to different sub-orders. Namely the shrimps belong to Dendrobranchiata sub-order, while the shrimps to Pleocyemata one.
2. Different anatomies:
   • Body form for the prawns each external skeleton segment overlaps the following one. So, for example, the second segment overlaps only the third one. While for the shrimps the second segment overlaps both the first and the third one.
   • Body shape: the prawns don't have distinct bend, while the shrimps do
   • Claw-like legs: the prawns have three pairs of claw-like legs, while the shrimps only two
   • Gills: the prawns have branching gills, while the shrimps a lamellar one
   • Eggs: the prawns release eggs in the water, while the shrimps don't and keep them on the underside of their body.
3. Different sizes: shrimps are smaller than prawns. The shrimps are usually between 6 and 10 centimeters, while the prawns between 10 and 20
4. Different habitats: according to the FAO, shrimp are marine creatures, while prawns live strictly in fresh water.
5. Different textures: the shrimp is more delicate and soft. Instead the prawn has a firmer and less tasty meat than the shrimp.
6. Different cooking usages: there are some dishes in which shrimps are better than prawns. For examples for the shrimps cocktail, it's better not to use prawns instead. While for other dishes in which there are other fish or shellfish such as seafood rice or a fish soup, the prawns are more suitable, since they are more pulpy and firm. Prawns are also better for grilling, since the shrimps are too small for that purpose.

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