Prawn vs. Crayfish — What's the Difference?

Culturally important in seafood cuisine.

Has distinct, strong claws.

Reproduces by releasing eggs.

A freshwater crustacean similar to a small lobster.

A marine crustacean with a slender body.

Central in various cultural dishes.

Known for swimming ability.

Carries eggs on its tail.

Found predominantly in saltwater.

Inhabits rivers and lakes.

Prawn is a common name for small aquatic crustaceans with an exoskeleton and ten legs (which is a member of the order decapoda), some of which can be eaten.The term "prawn" is used particularly in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Commonwealth nations, for large swimming crustaceans or shrimp, especially those with commercial significance in the fishing industry. Shrimp that are present in this category often belong to the suborder Dendrobranchiata.

Crayfish are freshwater crustaceans resembling small lobsters (to which they are related). In some parts of the United States, they are also known as crawfish, craydids, crawdaddies, crawdads, freshwater lobsters, mountain lobsters, rock lobsters, mudbugs, or yabbies.

Any of various shrimps, especially one that is large or inhabits fresh water.

Any of various freshwater crustaceans of the families Astacidae and Cambaridae of the Northern Hemisphere and the family Parastacidae of the Southern Hemisphere, resembling a lobster but considerably smaller. Also called mudbug; also called regionally crawdad.

The flesh of a prawn, used as food.

See spiny lobster.

To fish for prawns.

Any of numerous freshwater decapod crustaceans in superfamily Astacoidea or Parastacoidea, resembling the related lobster but usually much smaller.

A crustacean of the suborder Dendrobranchiata.

A freshwater crustacean (family Cambaridae), sometimes used as an inexpensive seafood or as fish bait.

(Commonwealth) A crustacean, sometimes confused with shrimp.

A rock lobster (family Palinuridae).

Synonym of butterface: A woman with an attractive body but an unattractive face.

(AU) A freshwater crayfish (family Parastacidae), such as the gilgie, marron, or yabby.

A fool, an idiot.

(Singapore) The species Thenus orientalis of the slipper lobster family (Scyllaridae).

Alternative form of porn.

To catch crayfish

(intransitive) To fish for prawns.

(to backpedal, desert, or withdraw)

Any one of numerous species of large shrimplike Crustacea having slender legs and long antennæ. They mostly belong to the genera Pandalus, Palæmon, Palæmonetes, and Peneus, and are much used as food. The common English prawn is Palæmon serratus.

See Crawfish.

Any of various edible decapod crustaceans

Warm-water lobsters without claws; those from Australia and South Africa usually marketed as frozen tails; caught also in Florida and California

Shrimp-like decapod crustacean having two pairs of pincers; most are edible

Tiny lobster-like crustaceans usually boiled briefly

Fish for prawns

Small freshwater decapod crustacean that resembles a lobster

Large edible marine crustacean having a spiny carapace but lacking the large pincers of true lobsters

Prawns release their eggs into the water, while crayfish carry their eggs on their undersides.

Prawns are used in delicate seafood dishes, while crayfish are featured in robust, communal meals like crawfish boils.

No, prawns are marine animals, whereas crayfish are strictly freshwater dwellers.

Prawns live in saltwater, while crayfish are found in freshwater environments.

Crayfish have powerful claws used for defense against predators and for handling food.

Prawns have elongated bodies and slender legs suited for swimming, whereas crayfish have stouter bodies with large claws for defense.

While popular in certain regions like the Southern U.S. and Scandinavia, crayfish are not as globally consumed as prawns.

Dishes like prawn paella, shrimp cocktail, and various sushi forms feature prawns.

Yes, prawns have adapted to open saltwater environments with features like longer legs for better swimming capabilities.

Prawns have a sweeter, more delicate flavor, whereas crayfish offer a richer, more robust taste.

Yes, certain species of crayfish have become invasive in environments outside their native ranges, impacting local ecosystems.

Prawns often appear in formal dishes and seafood platters, while crayfish are the centerpiece of casual, social gatherings like boils.

Crayfish play a key role in aquatic ecosystems, helping to maintain the cleanliness of river beds and providing food for a variety of predators.

Prawns generally grow larger than most freshwater crayfish.

Prawns are a significant part of the global seafood industry, important in both wild catch and aquaculture.