Hey there seafood lovers! I’ve been getting this question a lot lately – is shrimp actually considered a fish? The short answer is nope, shrimp isn’t a fish at all! Let me break down everything you need to know about these tasty little creatures
Quick Answer
Shrimp belongs to the shellfish family, specifically crustaceans While both shrimp and fish come from the water, they’re totally different animals with distinct characteristics The main difference? Fish have internal skeletons while shrimp wear their skeleton on the outside!
The Key Differences Between Shrimp and Fish
Body Structure
-
Shrimp
- Has an external skeleton (exoskeleton)
- 10 legs (that’s why they’re called decapods!)
- Segmented body
- Curved/bent shape
- Multiple limbs including claws and antennae
-
Fish:
- Internal skeleton with bones
- No legs
- Streamlined body
- Fins and scales
- Complex central nervous system
What Category Does Shrimp Belong To?
Shrimp falls into several categories:
- Seafood – The broad category for all edible water creatures
- Shellfish – Animals with external shells/exoskeletons
- Crustaceans – A specific type of shellfish with jointed legs
Here’s a handy table to help you understand the classification:
| Category | Definition | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Seafood | Any edible water creature | Fish, shrimp, oysters |
| Shellfish | Animals with external shells | Shrimp, crabs, clams |
| Crustaceans | Shellfish with jointed legs | Shrimp, lobster, crab |
Cool Facts About Shrimp You Probably Didn’t Know!
-
Color Change: When ya cook shrimp, they turn reddish or coral colored – pretty neat, right?
-
Those Little Legs: Shrimp actually use their top 3 pairs of legs like arms to feed themselves. Talk about multitasking!
-
Home Sweet Home: Most shrimp prefer hanging out near the seafloor, unlike many fish that swim throughout the water column.
Storage and Handling Tips
Since we’re talking about shrimp, I might as well throw in some practical advice:
- Keep fresh shrimp in your fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below
- Use fresh shrimp within 1-2 days
- When freezing, they can last several months
- Always thaw frozen shrimp in the fridge – not on the counter!
Health Benefits of Eating Shrimp
Even though shrimp isn’t a fish, it’s still super healthy! Here’s what you get:
- Low in calories
- High in protein
- Rich in selenium
- Good source of omega-3 fatty acids
- Packed with vitamin B12
Important Note About Allergies
Here’s something you really need to know – if someone’s allergic to shellfish, they need to stay away from shrimp! But here’s the interesting part – just because someone’s allergic to shellfish doesn’t mean they’re automatically allergic to fish, since they’re different animals.
The Bottom Line
So there ya have it! While shrimp and fish both swim in water and end up on our plates, they’re as different as cats and dogs! Shrimp are crustaceans with their cool external armor, while fish are, well, fish – with their internal bones and fins.
Remember: Just because something comes from the water doesn’t make it a fish. Nature’s pretty amazing that way, giving us so many different and delicious sea creatures to enjoy!
FAQs
Q: Can vegetarians who eat fish (pescatarians) eat shrimp?
A: That depends on their personal choices! Some pescatarians stick to just fish, while others include all seafood.
Q: What’s that dark line in shrimp?
A: That’s actually the digestive tract (basically its intestine). You can eat it, but most folks prefer to remove it.
Q: Are prawns and shrimp the same thing?
A: While super similar, they’re actually different creatures! But neither one is a fish – they’re both crustaceans.
So next time you’re enjoying some yummy shrimp scampi or shrimp cocktail, you can feel pretty smart knowing exactly what kind of creature you’re eating!
Heart and brain health
Many studies have found astaxanthin may help strengthen arteries, which may reduce the risk of heart attacks. It may also help increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol, an important factor in heart health.
In addition, a 2017 review of studies suggests that astaxanthin may be beneficial for brain health. Its anti-inflammatory properties may prevent damage to your brain cells that often leads to memory loss and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s.
Despite these findings, more human research is needed to determine the overall role that the astaxanthin in shrimp may have on overall health.
Due to the high demand for shrimp in the United Sates, it’s often imported from other countries.
Although this helps increase access to shrimp, most imported shrimp is farm-raised, which means it’s grown in industrial tanks that are submerged in bodies of water.
Farm-raised seafood from other countries is frequently treated with antibiotics due to its high susceptibility to disease. However, the United States does not permit the use of antibiotics in shrimp and other shellfish.
For this reason, it’s illegal to import shrimp that contains antibiotics. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for inspecting imported shrimp to ensure it doesn’t contain antibiotics.
However, due to the high volume of shrimp imports, the FDA is unable to regulate all of them. Because of this, farm-raised shrimp contaminated with antibiotics has the potential to enter the U.S. food supply.
Using antibiotics in shrimp has not been confirmed to have any major adverse health effects. However, it may lead to antibiotic resistance, which can cause outbreaks of diseases that do not respond to antibiotic treatment.
If you’re concerned about antibiotics in shrimp, it’s best to opt for wild-caught shrimp, which is never treated with antibiotics. Additionally, you can be assured that shrimp caught and prepared in the United States does not contain antibiotics.
Shellfish, including shrimp, are classified as one of the top nine food allergies in the United States, along with fish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, milk, and soy.
The most common trigger of shrimp allergies is tropomyosin, a protein found in shellfish. Other proteins in shrimp that may trigger an allergic reaction include arginine kinase and hemocyanin.
Symptoms of shellfish allergy
Symptoms of shrimp allergies vary and may include:
- tingling in the throat
- digestive issues
- breathing difficulties
- skin reactions
Some people with shrimp allergies may have anaphylactic reactions, as well. This is a dangerous, sudden reaction that can lead to seizures, unconsciousness, and even death if it is not treated immediately.
If you’re allergic to shrimp, the only way to prevent allergic reaction is to completely avoid eating it.
In some instances, even the vapors from cooking shrimp can trigger a reaction. So, those with shrimp allergies must also avoid situations where they may be exposed to it indirectly.
It’s important to choose high quality, fresh shrimp that isn’t damaged, infected, or contaminated.
When purchasing raw shrimp, make sure they’re firm. The shells should be translucent and grayish-green, pinkish tan, or light pink in color. Blackened edges or black spots on the shells may indicate quality loss.
Additionally, raw and cooked shrimp should have a mild, “ocean-like” or salty smell. Shrimp with an overwhelming “fishy” or ammonia-like odor is likely spoiled and unsafe to consume.
You should purchase shrimp from a knowledgeable and reputable supplier who can answer your questions about the shrimp’s country of origin and handling practices.