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Entry 310Filed under Breeding

Are Prawns Freshwater Fish? The Difference Between Prawns and Fish

Prawns are crustaceans, not fish. Some live in freshwater and others in the sea; species and life stage determine the habitat.
2-minute read By Animalso Team
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No. Prawns are crustaceans, not fish. Some animals called prawns live mainly in freshwater, while others are marine; the common name alone does not tell you which. To know where a particular prawn lives, identify its species and consider its life stage.

Why prawns are not fish

Fish are vertebrates; prawns are invertebrate crustaceans. They belong to a different animal group, even when a species lives in rivers or lakes. Calling one a “freshwater prawn” describes its habitat or common name, not a type of fish.

The names “prawn” and “shrimp” are often used interchangeably, and their use varies by region. The FAO manual on farming freshwater prawns notes that *Macrobrachium* is called “freshwater prawn” in Australia and “freshwater shrimp” in the United States. FAO also uses “prawn” for some marine shrimp. NOAA likewise cautions that common names in the shrimp family are used loosely and inconsistently (NOAA Fisheries’ overview of intriguing invertebrates).

Are any prawns freshwater animals?

Yes. FAO uses “freshwater prawns” for species in the genus *Macrobrachium*. Its manual describes habitats that include rivers, lakes, swamps, canals, irrigation ditches, ponds and estuaries (FAO manual introduction).

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But “freshwater prawn” does not necessarily mean that every stage of the animal’s life takes place in fresh water. Many *Macrobrachium* species need brackish water early in life. In the giant river prawn, *Macrobrachium rosenbergii*, larvae require brackish water; after developing into postlarvae, they move upstream into freshwater. A few species can complete their entire life cycle in inland saline or freshwater lakes, according to the FAO manual’s biology chapter (FAO manual: biology and life history).

Can prawns live in saltwater?

Yes. “Prawn” is also used for marine animals, including banana prawn, giant tiger prawn and kuruma prawn, as the FAO manual explains. So the name does not establish whether an animal is freshwater, estuarine or marine.

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White shrimp provide a marine and coastal comparison: NOAA says they spawn offshore and use estuaries as nursery habitat (NOAA Fisheries: White Shrimp). This illustrates why habitat can vary over an animal’s life and why the exact species matters.

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How to tell what kind of prawn you have

  • Look for the species name. A common label such as “prawn” may not be specific enough to determine habitat.
  • Check the habitat claim against that species. Species in *Macrobrachium* include freshwater prawns, but some have brackish-water larval stages.
  • Consider life stage and location. A species may use different habitats as it develops or moves between freshwater, estuaries and the sea.
  • Do not rely on food labeling alone. If the species is not identified, the label “prawn” cannot reliably tell you whether it came from freshwater or saltwater.

For a deeper account of the giant river prawn’s biology and life cycle, see the FAO guide to farming *Macrobrachium rosenbergii*.

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