Learning seafood names in English helps students, beginners, and food lovers build useful vocabulary for cooking, shopping, and daily conversations. This list covers fish, shellfish, and other edible sea animals, with pictures to make each name easier to remember. It’s helpful for reading menus, following recipes, and understanding food labels. By learning these seafood vocabulary words, you can talk about meals more clearly and describe different sea creatures we eat in everyday English.
In This Page
What Is Seafood?
Seafood is the name for animals that live in water and are used as food. This includes fish like salmon and tuna, shellfish like prawns and crabs, and other sea animals such as squid and octopus. Some seafood comes from the ocean (saltwater), while others live in rivers or lakes (freshwater). People eat seafood all over the world because it is tasty and full of nutrients.
List of Common Seafood Names in English with Pictures
Here is a list of popular seafood items that are often eaten or sold in stores:
- Fish – such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel
- Prawns – small shellfish often used in rice and curry
- Crabs – hard-shelled animals with claws
- Lobsters – large shellfish with long bodies and big claws
- Squid – soft-bodied with tentacles, often used in fried dishes
- Octopus – sea animal with eight arms
- Clams – soft shellfish found inside two shells
- Oysters – shellfish that live in rough shells
- Mussels – dark-shelled seafood with a chewy texture
- Shrimp – small curved shellfish, commonly grilled or fried
Fish Names in English Used in Seafood
Fish are the most common type of seafood. These names are useful in everyday conversations:
- Salmon – pink fish rich in healthy fats
- Tuna – found in cans or cooked as steaks
- Cod – white fish often used in fish and chips
- Sardines – small oily fish often packed in tins
- Mackerel – striped fish rich in omega-3
- Snapper – colorful reef fish
- Catfish – has whisker-like feelers
- Trout – freshwater fish, also farm-raised
- Anchovy – tiny fish used in pizza and sauces
- Halibut – large flat fish with firm meat
Shellfish Names in English with Labels
Shellfish are seafood with hard outer shells. They are divided into two types: crustaceans and mollusks.
Crustaceans:
- Crab – walks sideways and has a hard shell
- Lobster – known for its big claws
- Prawn – looks like shrimp but usually bigger
- Shrimp – found in many dishes like pasta or tempura
- Crayfish – freshwater crustacean like a mini lobster
Mollusks:
- Clam – oval shell, soft inside
- Oyster – rough shell, eaten raw or cooked
- Mussel – smooth dark shell
- Scallop – fan-shaped shell with soft inside
- Squid – long body, used in calamari
- Octopus – eight arms, used in many Asian dishes
List of Edible Sea Animals and Seafood Dishes
This section shows sea creatures we eat and some common seafood-based meals:
- Crab curry
- Grilled shrimp skewers
- Fried calamari (made from squid)
- Baked salmon
- Tuna sandwich
- Seafood pasta (with mussels, shrimp, or fish)
- Fish tacos
- Steamed clams
- Sushi (with raw fish like tuna or salmon)
- Lobster roll
Saltwater vs Freshwater Seafood Vocabulary
Seafood can come from two places: salty oceans or freshwater rivers and lakes.
Saltwater seafood:
- Tuna
- Salmon
- Lobster
- Shrimp
- Crab
- Mackerel
- Sardines
- Squid
- Oysters
Freshwater seafood:
- Catfish
- Trout
- Crayfish
- Tilapia
- Carp
- Perch
Seafood Names for Kids and Beginners with Spellings
Here’s a basic list of seafood items useful for children and ESL beginners:
- Fish – F-I-S-H
- Crab – C-R-A-B
- Shrimp – S-H-R-I-M-P
- Lobster – L-O-B-S-T-E-R
- Prawn – P-R-A-W-N
- Clam – C-L-A-M
- Octopus – O-C-T-O-P-U-S
- Squid – S-Q-U-I-D
- Oyster – O-Y-S-T-E-R
- Mussel – M-U-S-S-E-L
Exotic and Rare Seafood Items in English
Here are some unusual or rare seafood names that are useful for advanced learners:
- Abalone – shellfish with shiny inside shell
- Sea urchin – round, spiky sea animal eaten raw
- Cuttlefish – similar to squid
- Eel – long, snake-like fish
- Razor clam – shellfish with a long, thin shell
- Conch – sea snail with a spiral shell
- Whelk – edible sea snail
- Monkfish – deep-sea fish with firm meat
- Flying fish – tropical fish that can leap above water
- Stone crab – crab with strong claws, found in Florida
FAQs About Seafood Names in English
Fish like salmon, tuna, cod, and shellfish like shrimp, lobster, and crab are among the most common.
Though similar, prawns are generally larger and found in freshwater, while shrimp come from saltwater.
Over 50 seafood terms are commonly used in recipes, restaurants, and ESL vocabulary.
Yes, crustaceans like crabs and lobsters and mollusks like clams and oysters are both shellfish types.
It supports menu reading, food shopping, and kitchen tasks, especially for ESL students or food workers.
Read More