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Shrimp

Shrimps

Pacific white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Arthropoda
Subphylum:Crustacea
Class:Malacostraca
Order :Decapoda
Suborder:Natantia
Families
list may be incomplete
Aristeidae
Penaeidae
Sergestidae
Sicyoniidae
Solenoceridae
Nematocarcinidae
Atydae
Pasiphaeoidae
Rhynocinetidae
Campylonotidae
Palaemonidae
Alpheidae
Ogyrididae
Hippolytidae
Proussidae
Pandalidae
Crangonidae

Shrimps are small crustaceans usually classified in the suborder Natantia, found widely around the world, in both fresh and salt water.

Table of contents
1 Taxonomy
2 Shrimps as food
3 Catching Shrimp

Taxonomy

Note that the taxonomy of the crustaceans is somewhat debated at present, and not all authorities recognise Natantia as a valid grouping, while some would place infraorders or superfamilies beneath it. Many shrimps would then be classified within the infraorder Penaeoida (treated by some as a suborder).

The points that seem relatively fixed amidst this fluidity are:

The usage of the common name "shrimp" also varies: zoologically, all crustaceans belonging to Natantia (or to a corresponding list of families) are called shrimps, but in common usage, especially in relation to cooking, some of the large ones are known as prawns.

Shrimps as food

A number of the larger species, including the white shrimp Penaeus setiferus, are caught commercially and used for food. Various recipes utilizing shrimp are a part of the cuisine of many cultures. Several types of shrimp are also kept in home aquaria.

Catching Shrimp

People that catch shrimp are 'Shrimpers', and the act of catching shrimp is called 'Shrimping'. Strikers are the crewmen on the boat that set up and strike the nets.

There are 3 different methods for catching shrimp.