Finfish is a practical seafood and fisheries term for fish, including familiar species such as cod, tuna, grouper, snapper, and swordfish. Shellfish are aquatic invertebrates commonly grouped as mollusks or crustaceans, such as oysters, clams, shrimp, and crabs. Both categories can be included under the broader consumer term “seafood.”
What does “finfish” mean?
Finfish refers to fish in seafood and fisheries contexts; it is not a single formal taxonomic rank. The term distinguishes fish from shellfish categories. The Codex Standard for Canned Finfish uses the term for a canned product made from suitable fish flesh, but that product definition is not a universal biological definition.
Examples of finfish and shellfish
| Category | Biological description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Finfish | Fish, including bony and cartilaginous groups | Cod, tuna, grouper, snapper, swordfish, sharks, skates, and rays |
| Shellfish: mollusks | Aquatic invertebrates | Oysters, clams, and abalone |
| Shellfish: crustaceans | Aquatic invertebrates | Shrimp, lobsters, and crabs |
NOAA identifies bony and cartilaginous fish as two primary groups of fish; sharks, skates, and rays are cartilaginous fish. NOAA describes mollusks and crustaceans as invertebrates. Shellfish is a common food and fisheries label for these groups, not one formal biological class.
How are finfish different from shellfish?
The key difference is the kind of animal: finfish are fish, while shellfish commonly refers to aquatic invertebrates, especially mollusks and crustaceans. The word “shellfish” should not be taken to mean only animals with a shell; the category also includes crustaceans such as shrimp and crabs.
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“Seafood” is a broader consumer category that can include both finfish and shellfish. A fish such as tuna and an invertebrate such as a clam may both be seafood, but they are not the same biological kind of animal.
Do all finfish live in salt water?
No. Fish live in freshwater as well as marine habitats, and some fish use both during their life cycles. Habitat does not determine whether an animal is finfish or shellfish.
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FAQ
Are sharks finfish?
Yes. Sharks are cartilaginous fish, so they are finfish.
Are shrimp and crabs finfish?
No. Shrimp and crabs are crustaceans, aquatic invertebrates commonly grouped as shellfish.
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No. Oysters and clams are mollusks, aquatic invertebrates commonly grouped as shellfish.
Is seafood the same as finfish?
No. Seafood is the broader consumer term and can include both finfish and shellfish.
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