What Is the Difference?

Is Smaller Tastier?

The Difference between Shrimps and Prawns

Shrimps and Prawns – Is there a difference? -In short, yes, and in short, no. Even in the dictionary, the term “shrimplike” is used to define a prawn. Now, isn’t that confusing?

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Here are the similarities:

All shrimps and prawns are decapod crustaceans. They have elongated bodies with long antennae and swimming is the primary mode of locomotion. They do have legs for walking, and they have an external protective shell. There are collectively over 2,000 species of each with about a dozen that we consume as food. Within the dozen we consume as food, the taste is nearly the same for all. The only true difference is that the smaller the size the sweeter the taste. (Although, I’ve had some really nice large sweet shrimp and prawns!)

Here are the differences:

The difference is found in taxonomy criteria. Specific phenotypic traits determine whether or not the animal is a shrimp or a prawn. Shrimps have branching gills and lay their eggs outside of the body. Prawns have plate-like gills and carry eggs within the body. These reasons are hardly necessary for discussion in terms of cooking.

The biggest difference comes with region. Folks of the British Isles and Common Wealth States typically call these animals prawns, especially the larger one like in the photo. People in America typically call all these animals shrimp. A prawn is called a “jumbo shrimp” for example. For me, before I did a little research years ago, I thought the ones with the heads on were prawns, and the ones without were shrimps. So, there you have it. Unless you’re a taxonomist or biologist that loves taxonomy, there is hardly a difference between the two (although a taxonomist may ask me to eat my words).

Lastly, a little side note on the singular and plural forms of “shrimp” and “prawn.” It is proper to add an “s” for the plural forms. Technically, adding the “s” is correct, especially for “prawns.” In writing I’m tempted to use “prawn” as the plural, as I’ve always used “shrimp” as the plural for shrimp. In fact, when I hear someone say “shrimps,” I shudder and want to correct it to “shrimp.” It’s confusing really. In cooking, it’s okay to say “a dish made of shrimp.” One would also refer to as a vessel used in catching shrimps as a “shrimp boat.”

Whichever your preference, enjoy your shrimp, shrimps, prawn and prawns!

Image credit – photo by Alpha titled “Freshly Steamed Prawns”