Shellfish vs. Crustaceans — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 20, 2023

Shellfish is a broad term for aquatic animals with shells, including mollusks and crustaceans. Crustaceans are a specific group of arthropods, like crabs and shrimp, with jointed limbs and a hard exoskeleton.

Difference Between Shellfish and Crustaceans

Table of Contents

➝ Key Differences ➝ Comparison Chart ➝ Definitions ➝ FAQs

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Key Differences

Shellfish and Crustaceans in Culinary Context: In the culinary world, both shellfish and crustaceans are highly prized for their taste and texture. While the term shellfish can refer to any edible aquatic creature with a shell, such as mussels or scallops, crustaceans refer specifically to delicacies like lobster and crayfish.

Oct 20, 2023

Biodiversity and Ecosystem Role: Both shellfish and crustaceans play vital roles in aquatic ecosystems. Shellfish, particularly filter feeders like oysters, can help purify water. Crustaceans, being both predators and prey, are integral to the food chain in their habitats.

Oct 20, 2023

Shellfish: This term encompasses a wide range of aquatic animals that possess some form of shell or hard exterior. Shellfish can be divided into two main groups: mollusks and crustaceans. Mollusks include creatures like clams, oysters, and snails. Crustaceans, on the other hand, are a subset of shellfish and include species like crabs, lobsters, and shrimp.

Oct 20, 2023

Crustaceans: These are a specific class of arthropods that live primarily in aquatic environments. Distinguished by their hard exoskeleton and jointed limbs, crustaceans are a subgroup within the larger shellfish category. The exoskeleton, which must be molted for the creature to grow, provides protection and support.

Oct 20, 2023

Comparison Chart

Classification

Broad term for aquatic animals with shells

Subset of shellfish, class of arthropods

Oct 20, 2023

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Examples

Clams, oysters, crabs, shrimps

Crabs, shrimps, lobsters

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Habitat

Mainly aquatic

Primarily aquatic

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Exoskeleton

Not all have hard exoskeletons

Always have hard exoskeletons

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Importance in Cuisine

Wide range of edible species

Considered delicacies

Oct 20, 2023

Definitions

Shellfish

Aquatic animals that have a shell or hard exterior.

We collected a variety of Shellfish during our trip to the beach.

Oct 06, 2023

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Crustaceans

A specific class of shellfish known for their segmented bodies.

Many Crustaceans are scavengers, cleaning up detritus from the ocean floor.

Oct 06, 2023

Shellfish

Organisms from various taxonomic groups, united by their hard protective coverings.

Shellfish play vital roles in marine ecosystems.

Oct 06, 2023

Crustaceans

Aquatic animals commonly consumed as seafood.

The Crustaceans at the seafood buffet were freshly caught.

Oct 06, 2023

Shellfish

A broad term including both mollusks and crustaceans.

Many people are allergic to certain types of Shellfish.

Oct 06, 2023

Crustaceans

Marine creatures that molt their exoskeleton to grow.

Children often find the discarded exoskeletons of Crustaceans on the beach.

Oct 06, 2023

Shellfish

Edible marine creatures often used in culinary dishes.

The restaurant specializes in Shellfish dishes.

Oct 06, 2023

Crustaceans

Arthropods with a hard exoskeleton and jointed limbs.

Crabs and lobsters are both Crustaceans.

Oct 06, 2023

Shellfish

Seafood that includes species from multiple aquatic groups.

The market had an impressive array of fresh Shellfish for sale.

Oct 06, 2023

Crustaceans

Organisms that belong to the large and diverse arthropod class.

Biologists study the fascinating behaviors and life cycles of Crustaceans.

Oct 06, 2023

Shellfish

Any of various edible aquatic invertebrate animals having a shell, especially mollusks such as clams and oysters, and crustaceans such as lobsters, crabs, and shrimp.

Oct 06, 2023

Crustaceans

Plural of crustacean

Oct 06, 2023

Shellfish

An edible mollusk, in contrast to a crustacean

Regulations concerning fish, crustaceans, and shellfish.

Oct 06, 2023

Shellfish

The edible flesh of such animals.

Oct 06, 2023

Shellfish

A fisheries and colloquial term for an aquatic invertebrate having an inner or outer shell, such as a mollusc or crustacean, especially when edible.

Oct 06, 2023

Shellfish

A culinary and nutritional term for several groups of non-piscine, non-tetrapod, aquatic animals that are used as a food source. The term often exclusively refers to edible aquatic crustaceans, bivalve mollusks and cephalopod mollusks; but sometimes echinoderms may be included as well.

Oct 06, 2023

Shellfish

Any aquatic animal whose external covering consists of a shell, either testaceous, as in oysters, clams, and other mollusks, or crustaceous, as in lobsters and crabs.

Oct 06, 2023

Shellfish

Meat of edible aquatic invertebrate with a shell (especially a mollusk or crustacean)

Oct 06, 2023

Shellfish

Invertebrate having a soft unsegmented body usually enclosed in a shell

Oct 06, 2023

FAQs

Are all Crustaceans considered Shellfish?

Yes, all Crustaceans are a subset of shellfish.

Oct 20, 2023

How do Crustaceans grow if they have a hard exoskeleton?

Crustaceans molt, shedding their exoskeleton, to grow.

Oct 20, 2023

Are all Shellfish edible?

While many types of Shellfish are edible, not all are considered palatable or safe to eat.

Oct 20, 2023

What are Shellfish?

Shellfish are aquatic animals that have some form of shell or hard exterior.

Oct 20, 2023

How do Crustaceans differ from other Shellfish?

Crustaceans are a specific class of arthropods, distinguished by their hard exoskeleton and jointed limbs.

Oct 20, 2023

How do Shellfish contribute to the environment?

Shellfish, especially filter feeders, help purify water and maintain ecosystem balance.

Oct 20, 2023

What's a popular Crustacean in cuisine?

Lobster is a highly prized Crustacean in many culinary traditions.

Oct 20, 2023

Can both fresh and saltwater environments contain Shellfish?

Yes, Shellfish can be found in both freshwater and marine environments.

Oct 20, 2023

What makes Crustaceans unique among other arthropods?

Crustaceans are primarily aquatic and possess a hard exoskeleton which they molt to grow.

Oct 20, 2023

Can people be allergic to Shellfish?

Yes, shellfish allergies, including reactions to crustaceans, are common.

Oct 20, 2023

Are clams and oysters Crustaceans?

No, clams and oysters are mollusks, another type of Shellfish.

Oct 20, 2023

Why are some Crustaceans red when cooked?

The heat from cooking breaks down proteins in Crustaceans, releasing astaxanthin, a pigment that turns red.

Oct 20, 2023

What are common examples of Crustaceans?

Common Crustaceans include crabs, shrimp, lobsters, and crayfish.

Oct 20, 2023

How do you cook Shellfish?

Cooking methods for Shellfish vary, but common methods include boiling, grilling, and frying.

Oct 20, 2023

Do Crustaceans feel pain?

The understanding of pain in Crustaceans is still a topic of scientific debate.

Oct 20, 2023

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.